Bangabandhu Railway Bridge’s cost goes up by 72% | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025
Bangabandhu Railway Bridge’s cost goes up by 72%

Economy

TBS Report
03 March, 2020, 04:10 pm
Last modified: 04 March, 2020, 01:27 pm

Related News

  • Plan taken to reduce overall cost of power generation by Tk11,000 crore: Finance adviser
  • Air cargo costs from Dhaka zooms as India shuts transshipment routes
  • Cost of Khanpur terminal project in Narayanganj to rise by 57%
  • Bangabandhu Rail Bridge renamed Jamuna Rail Bridge
  • Migration costs for workers still high despite govt assurances

Bangabandhu Railway Bridge’s cost goes up by 72%

2.25% progress of Bangabandhu Railway Bridge has been done in 3.5 years

TBS Report
03 March, 2020, 04:10 pm
Last modified: 04 March, 2020, 01:27 pm
Photo of Bangabandhu Bridge/Wikipedia
Photo of Bangabandhu Bridge/Wikipedia

Although the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge project was approved with an estimated cost of Tk9,734.07 crore in 2016, only 2.25 percent of the money has been spent in three and a half years.

Now, to move the almost inactive project forward, its deadline has been extended by two more years – from 2023 to 2025. 

Also, the project cost has gone up by 72 percent.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

With the latest revision, the total cost of the project reached Tk16,780.95 crore. Of the amount, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) will provide Tk12,149.19 crore while the remaining Tk4,631.76 crore will come from government funds.

For the delay in project implementation, there will be an extra expenditure of Tk7,046.88 crore.

The project approval came from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting held at the NEC conference room in the capital with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair on Tuesday.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said a total of eight projects were approved.

Mannan said the dual gauge double track Bangabandhu Railway Bridge would be constructed around 300 metres upstream of the existing Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna River to meet the growing demand for national and sub-regional rail traffic. 

"This bridge will also boost the economy of the country's northern districts.'' 

The project cost has gone up as engineering, procurement, and construction was signed with the contractor before revising the project, said project sources. 

Japan's Obayashi Corporation, TOA Corporation, and JFE Holdings will jointly build the eastern side of the bridge at Tk6,801 crore. On the other hand, IHI Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company will construct the western part of the bridge at Tk6,148 crore. 

Thus the value of the contract with these companies is Tk12,949 crore.

Mannan said the project cost had increased following a study conducted by Jica to strengthen this dedicated bridge.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Mofazzel Hossain claimed that the project cost had increased for valid reasons. 

"The project proposal was primarily prepared, keeping the estimated cost in mind. But the final cost was calculated in line with engineering, procurement, and construction.''

Earlier in January, the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved the tender with some conditions, including getting the go-ahead signal of Ecnec. 

The project was modified as part of compliance with those conditions, said the Planning Commission.

The main components of the project include construction of a 4.8-kilometre dual gauge double track bridge, a 7.6-kilometre double line railway approach embankment, erection of 30.73-kilometre dual gauge railway tracks, construction of 16 railway approach viaducts, minor bridges and culverts, renovation and re-modelling of Bangabandhu Bridge East and Bangabandhu Bridge West stations and yards.

The project also includes construction of railway museum and ancillary infrastructures, and dredging at the approach channel and harbour of the Jamuna River.

Planning Commission officials said the potential of rail freight transport with the neighbouring countries could not be adequately utilised with the existing Bangabandhu Bridge due to limited access load and speed limitations. 

The government wants to increase the length of the rail line by 45 percent within the next ten years.

Of the approved eight projects, six are new, while the two others are revised projects. 

Except the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge project, implementation cost of the seven others will be Tk3,421.36 crore. Of the amount, Tk3,342.73 crore will come from the government fund, and Tk78.63 crore from implementation agencies.

The Ecnec also approved the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority's Emergency Water Supply project to be implemented with an estimated cost of Tk732.32 crore. 

Once the project is implemented by December 2023, it will supply an extra 447 million litres of underground water per day in Dhaka city. 

Top News

Bangabandhu Rail Bridge / cost / Economy News

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image
    In addition to 35% tariff, US demands 40% local value addition for 'Made in Bangladesh' goods
  • Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients
    Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients
  • Photo: Courtesy
    4 arrested, 2 remanded over brutal killing of trader near Mitford Hospital

MOST VIEWED

  • In terms of stream of education, girls maintained their excellence as well. Photo: TBS
    SSC 2025: Girls dominate boys by over 5%
  • Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    SSC, equivalent results: Pass rate drops to 68.45%, GPA-5 also declines
  • The overall pass rate across all boards this year, 68.45%, is significantly lower than last year's. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SSC 2025: Rajshahi board records highest pass rate, Barishal lowest
  • How S Alam’s Global Islami Bank cooked Tk2,259cr loss into Tk128cr profit
    How S Alam’s Global Islami Bank cooked Tk2,259cr loss into Tk128cr profit
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    SSC 2025: 73.63% pass rate among technical students, 68.09% at Madrasahs
  • Economist Abul Barkat; Photo: Courtesy
    Economist Abul Barkat arrested in graft case

Related News

  • Plan taken to reduce overall cost of power generation by Tk11,000 crore: Finance adviser
  • Air cargo costs from Dhaka zooms as India shuts transshipment routes
  • Cost of Khanpur terminal project in Narayanganj to rise by 57%
  • Bangabandhu Rail Bridge renamed Jamuna Rail Bridge
  • Migration costs for workers still high despite govt assurances

Features

Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients

Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients

9h | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

1d | The Big Picture
Illustration: TBS

Behind closed doors: Why women in Bangladesh stay in abusive marriages

1d | Panorama
Purbachl’s 144-acre Sal forest is an essential part of the area’s biodiversity. Within it, 128 species of plants and 74 species of animals — many of them endangered — have been identified. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Renowned economist Abul Barkat imprisoned

Renowned economist Abul Barkat imprisoned

8h | TBS Today
All of Iran's uranium still intact, Israel claims

All of Iran's uranium still intact, Israel claims

7h | TBS World
Trump-Netanyahu in new strategy on Gaza issue

Trump-Netanyahu in new strategy on Gaza issue

9h | TBS World
Shocking science: why birds stay safe on electricity lines

Shocking science: why birds stay safe on electricity lines

10h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net