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PM Sheikh Hasina Inaugurates Dhaka-Bhanga Rail Section via Padma Bridge
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Dhaka-Bhanga section of the rail link between Dhaka and Jashore via the Padma Bridge, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s transportation infrastructure development. The inauguration took place at the Mawa Railway Station in Munshiganj, with the presence of Sheikh Hasina’s younger sister, Sheikh Rehana.
In her address, Prime Minister Hasina emphasized the importance of realizing the dream of crossing the Padma River by train. She also highlighted the government’s ambition to connect the Bangladesh railway with the Trans Asian Railway network, a goal they are actively working towards.
Commercial train services on this newly inaugurated rail route are expected to commence shortly, promising to reduce travel time between Dhaka and Jashore by half and greatly enhancing the country’s railway connectivity.
This rail link is set to have a significant impact on Bangladesh’s economy, as it will gradually bring 64 districts of the country under the railway network. The trial run of a special train on the Dhaka-Bhanga route through the Padma Bridge was successfully completed on September 7.
The civic rally at Mawa Railway Station was attended by prominent figures, including Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen.
After the event, Prime Minister Hasina is scheduled to take a ride on the special train to Bhanga in Faridpur via the Padma Bridge. She will also attend a grand rally at Dr Kazi Abu Yusuf Stadium in Bhanga, organized by the Faridpur district unit of the ruling Awami League.
Prime Minister Hasina will then proceed to her ancestral home in Tungipara, Gopalganj, where she will pay her respects to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
This significant railway project spans 172km from Dhaka to Jashore and is part of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project. The Dhaka-Bhanga section is being opened, while the remaining portion connecting Jashore is expected to be launched in June next year.
The inauguration of the Dhaka-Bhanga rail service via the Padma Bridge marks a major transportation achievement for Bangladesh, coming one year and two months after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge itself in June last year.
The rail link project is estimated to cost Taka 39,246.80 crore, with Taka 21,036.70 crore provided as a loan by the Exim Bank of China. Upon completion, it will improve accessibility between Dhaka, Jessore, and Khulna, shortening the route by 212.05 km and facilitating regional and international freight and BG container train services.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
