The government has given the green light to a new high-speed rail link between Dhaka and Chittagong which should cut journey times between the country’s largest two cities by over five hours by 2022. The existing Dhaka-Chittagong rail link runs for 320km through Tongi, Bhairab, Akhaura, Comilla and Feni, with journey times ranging from 7-10 hours. “This high-speed train project is important as it will mobilise trade and tourism,” he told the Dhaka Tribune. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina first came up with the idea of constructing a high-speed rail link during a visit to the Ministry of Railways on October 24, 2014. Dozens of new bridges – including two large spans of the Shitalakkhya and Meghna rivers – will be constructed for the rail link.

Source: Dhaka Tribune November 02, 2017 13:52 UTC