JICA funded Jamuna Railway Bridge opens

The Jamuna Railway Bridge, Bangladesh's largest dedicated railway bridge, officially inaugurated on 18 March 2025. Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the bridge is a landmark in Bangladesh-Japan cooperation and is expected to significantly enhance rail connectivity between the country's eastern and western regions.

Spanning 4.8 km, the bridge will facilitate smoother and more efficient transportation of passengers and goods, including agricultural products from the northern districts. This improved connectivity is set to have a positive economic and social impact on the region.

Construction of the bridge began in 2020 and was completed on schedule. The project incorporates advanced Japanese technology to ensure long-term sustainability while minimising operational and maintenance costs. Trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 100 km/h across the bridge.

Among the dignitaries present at the inauguration ceremony were SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bangladesh; Ito Teruyuki, Director General of JICA's South Asia Department; and Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office.

Also in attendance were Md. Fahimul Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, and Md. Afzal Hossain, Director General of Bangladesh Railway.

Delivering a speech on behalf of JICA President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, Ito Teruyuki said, "The completion of this bridge demonstrates the remarkable joint efforts of engineers and professionals from Bangladesh, Japan, and other countries. I am confident that this bridge will play a crucial role in improving connectivity, boosting trade, and attracting investment, in line with the BIG-B (Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt) initiative."

Md. Fahimul Islam expressed gratitude to the government and people of Japan, as well as the engineers and contractors involved in the project, for their generous support in making this vital infrastructure a reality.