Early completed, Padma rail project saves Tk1,845 crore | 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
    • Get the Paper
    • 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

Thursday
July 24, 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
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Early completed, Padma rail project saves Tk1,845 crore

Transport

Foisal Ahmed
16 November, 2024, 09:30 am
Last modified: 16 November, 2024, 09:32 am

Related News

  • SIDA-funded project to enhance Bangladesh's climate, environmental governance: Adviser Rizwana
  • Tk65 crore wasted on unplanned projects in Ctg City; all four now abandoned
  • World Bank to provide $280m loan to improve Ctg water supply, sanitation
  • Regional connectivity projects face unprecedented delays after political changeover
  • Bay Terminal: Tk14,908cr support project set for final govt approval

Early completed, Padma rail project saves Tk1,845 crore

Set for December launch at 33% capacity amid a shortage of manpower and rolling stock

Foisal Ahmed
16 November, 2024, 09:30 am
Last modified: 16 November, 2024, 09:32 am

Infographic: TBS
Infographic: TBS

The Padma Rail Link Project has set a remarkable benchmark by saving a sizable amount – Tk1,845 crore – from the initial estimate, thanks primarily to its completion way ahead of schedule. 

The project was scheduled for completion by 30 June 2025, with a one-year defect liability period extending to 30 June 2026.

Now the entire rail line is expected to go into operation on the first day of December. 

The foreign-funded multibillion-dollar project faces a drawback though –  It is being launched at only one-third of its capacity, mainly due to shortages in manpower and rolling stock. 

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

The highly anticipated 169-km rail line connecting Dhaka with Jashore via the Padma Bridge will initially see operation of eight of the planned 24 daily trains, according to officials involved with the project.

Cost-effective measures

In its Development Project Proposal (DPP), the costs were originally estimated at Tk39,246 crore but have now been revised down to Tk37,401 crore.

This savings achievement includes a Tk621.89 crore reduction in the second revision of the DPP and an additional Tk1,223.65 crore saved during the project's implementation phase, as revealed in project documents obtained by The Business Standard.

Project Director Afzal Hossain told TBS, "This was possible due to the timely completion of the project. When the budget was planned, inflation was projected until the end of the project. However, we completed it seven months early, avoiding the inflated costs.

"We also adopted cost-effective measures at the implementation level, ensuring that we spent only where absolutely necessary, so that not a single taka was wasted." 

A document reveals the specific savings of Tk44.63 crore in design and survey fees, Tk4.80 crore in signalling and telecommunication, and Tk12.62 crore in environmental safeguards.

Additionally, Tk676.33 crore was saved from provisional sums in areas such as level crossing gates, river training works, and ballastless track installations. 

Besides, Tk1,341.18 crore was saved through product price adjustments within the project, while Tk855.91 crore was allocated for additional work under physical contingency. After adjusting all these costs, the amount saved totalled at Tk1,223.65 crore.

Under-utilisation of the megaproject 

A significant manpower shortage is expected to affect the project's operations. Bangladesh Railway has yet to receive approval from the Ministry of Public Administration to create the necessary 1,680 positions, forcing operations to rely on existing staff and some outsourced workers.

Sardar Shahadat Ali, director general of Bangladesh Railway, told TBS, "We tried to obtain the required approvals but were unsuccessful. We will need to commence operations on the route using our existing workforce along with outsourced workers."

Bangladesh Railway currently faces a manpower shortage across all categories, operating with only half the workforce it needs.

Shahadat Ali said, "Due to the existing manpower shortage, we will open only six of the most important stations among the 14 new stations under the project."

Rolling stock limitations further restrict operations.

"Although we have rolling stock limitations, additional stock is expected next year with other ongoing projects," Project Director Afzal Hossain said. "Initially, eight trains will operate, with flexibility for double trips if demand increases."

The new rail line is designed to accommodate speeds of up to 120 km per hour, though trains will initially operate at a maximum of 100 km/h, reducing travel time between Dhaka and Jashore from over eight hours to just 3.5 hours.

Funded by China, the project is being executed by China Railway Group Limited, with consultancy from the Bangladesh Army.

An 82-km section between Dhaka and Bhanga was previously opened on 10 October last year and currently operates five trains on this partial route.

Bangladesh / Top News

Padma rail link / project

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

  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising
  • He was produced before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court at around 7:45pm today (24 July). Photo: TBS
    Ex-CJ Khairul sent to jail over July Uprising murder case
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Tariff talks: Bangladesh, US set for crucial virtual meeting on 29 July

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
    BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
  • Infographics: TBS
    Stay orders won’t shield defaulters: BB governor 

Related News

  • SIDA-funded project to enhance Bangladesh's climate, environmental governance: Adviser Rizwana
  • Tk65 crore wasted on unplanned projects in Ctg City; all four now abandoned
  • World Bank to provide $280m loan to improve Ctg water supply, sanitation
  • Regional connectivity projects face unprecedented delays after political changeover
  • Bay Terminal: Tk14,908cr support project set for final govt approval

Features

Illustration: TBS

The future of medicine: How innovations will catalyse quantum leaps in healthcare

43m | The Big Picture
Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

21h | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

2d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Settlement failure may trigger up to 50% tariffs

Settlement failure may trigger up to 50% tariffs

13m | TBS World
Abrar Fahad's family meets with the chief advisor

Abrar Fahad's family meets with the chief advisor

33m | TBS Today
'Golapjan', a victim of multifaceted sexual harassment in the workplace

'Golapjan', a victim of multifaceted sexual harassment in the workplace

1h | TBS Stories
AI is uncovering the lost history of ancient Rome

AI is uncovering the lost history of ancient Rome

2h | Others
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