Bangladesh's largest railway project, the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP), officially opened to traffic on Tuesday (December 24), marking a historic milestone for the country.
The inaugural train, adorned with colorful balloons and ribbons, arrived at Dhaka station to celebrate the occasion.
Constructed by China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China, the PBRLP is a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Bangladesh.
Spanning approximately 170 kilometers, the railway-locally known as the "Dream Road"-connects the capital Dhaka to the southwestern city of Jashore, reports Travel And Tour World (TTW).
The New York-based - TTW is a comprehensive B2B travel e-magazine and news portal. It boasts a readership of over 1.7 million industry leaders in 195 countries the travel, tourism, airlines, cruise and hospitality industries and also social media influencers and think tanks.
The new railway line slashes travel time between Dhaka and Jashore from 10 hours to just three, a game-changer for millions of commuters and businesses.
The railway is expected to benefit 80 million people along its route and contribute to Bangladesh's economic growth by an estimated 1.5 percentage points.
"This is a happy moment for us as Bangladesh enters a new era of railway connectivity via Padma Bridge," said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, an adviser to the Ministry of Railways, during the opening ceremony.
Md. Fahimul Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, hailed the project as transformative.
"This is not just the start of a new railway segment but a historic chapter in Bangladesh's railway development," he said.
"The collaboration with China has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, reflecting the shared commitment of our two nations to sustainable development."
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen highlighted the project as a testament to the strong economic and trade ties between the two countries.
"The PBRLP is a prime example of China-Bangladesh cooperation, bringing significant economic and social benefits.
China remains committed to supporting Bangladesh's development and fostering deeper cooperation in infrastructure and beyond," he said.
Ambassador Yao also emphasized the broader implications of the railway, calling it an integral part of the trans-Asian railway network that promotes regional connectivity and economic development.
The PBRLP, which began construction in July 2018, is built along the Padma Bridge, the largest infrastructure of its kind in Bangladesh, constructed by the China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group.
The railway now connects Dhaka with over 20 districts in southern Bangladesh, providing a critical link for trade, commerce, and mobility.
With its potential to reshape transportation and boost economic activity, the PBRLP sets the stage for a new era of connectivity in Bangladesh.
As trains now speed across the "Dream Road," the project symbolizes a bold step toward a more interconnected and prosperous future for the nation.
