Country's first nuclear plant, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, is going to get its own railway connection.
Bangladesh Railway signed an agreement with an Indo-Bangla joint venture company on Tuesday to construct a dual-gauge railway line.
The railway line will be constructed between Pabna's Ishwardi and Rooppur power plant.
Mojibur Rahman, general manager (West) of Bangladesh Railway, signed the deal on behalf of Bangladesh Railway at Rail Bhaban in the capital in presence of Railways Minister Mujibul Haque, reports UNB.
Suvash Chandra Hawlader, managing director of Standard Engineers Ltd, signed on behalf of Indo-Bangla joint venture company - Standard Engineers Ltd - Castle Construction Ltd of Bangladesh, and GTP Infraprojects Ltd of India.
The project also include construction of a railway station, 13 level crossings and seven box culverts along with purchase and establishment of a computer-based colour light signalling system.
The total estimated cost of the project is Tk 2.97 billion involving the construction of a 26.52 km-long rail line including 4.50 km loop-line.
According to the contract, the project will be completed within 18 months.
During the signing ceremony, the minister said the project will be implemented on priority basis following the order of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina under the direct surveillance of Prime Minister's Office.
"The rail link will ensure easy carrying of heavy materials and equipment from Chattogram and Mongla ports to the under-constructed nuclear power-plant site," said the minister.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has initiated the project of constructing and renovating the railway tracks and the signalling system.
