Dhaka-Chattogram electric train plan awaits funding: PM
Senior Correspondent
Publish: 09 September, 2026 17:15 | Update: Wednesday, 09 September, 2026 17:16
The government has taken an integrated initiative to reduce travel time and distance on the Dhaka-Chattogram rail corridor, including plans for electric trains, a direct Dhaka-Cumilla chord line and conversion of the route into dual-gauge double track.
The feasibility study and detailed design for installing electric traction on the corridor have already been completed.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman disclosed the information in parliament on Wednesday while responding to a question from Chattogram-12 lawmaker Mohammad Enamul Haque.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad presided over the sitting.
Enamul Haque had asked whether the government had any plan to introduce electric, or bullet, trains to reduce travel time and distance between Dhaka and Chattogram and, if so, when the plan would be implemented.
In response, the Prime Minister outlined the government’s three-pronged plan for the Dhaka-Chattogram rail corridor.
Electric train plan awaits funding
Tarique Rahman said the feasibility study and detailed design for installing electric traction to operate electric trains on the Dhaka-Chattogram corridor have been completed.
He said a detailed work plan and implementation schedule would be prepared once the necessary financing is secured.
The government will move ahead with implementation subject to funding, he said.
Once implemented, electric trains could operate on the corridor, increasing average train speeds and reducing travel time.
Dhaka-Cumilla chord line to shorten distance
The Prime Minister said the government was also working on a direct chord line between Dhaka and Cumilla to shorten the Dhaka-Chattogram rail route.
The feasibility study and detailed design for the proposed chord line are currently under way.
Once implemented, the project is expected to shorten the distance between the two cities and increase average train speeds, reducing journey time.
Entire corridor planned as dual-gauge double track
Tarique Rahman said steps had also been taken to convert the Dhaka-Chattogram railway corridor into dual-gauge double track.
Feasibility studies and detailed designs for the Tongi-Akhaura and Laksam-Chattogram sections have been completed.
The project proposal for developing the Laksam-Chattogram section into dual-gauge double track is now being processed for approval, while preparation of the Development Project Proposal for the Tongi-Akhaura section is in its final stage.
The Prime Minister said implementation of the two projects would significantly increase Bangladesh Railway’s passenger-carrying capacity and improve train speeds on the Dhaka-Chattogram corridor.
