Full-speed trial runs of trains have commenced on the Jamuna Rail Bridge in Sirajganj on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for the largest railway bridge in Bangladesh.
After years of anticipation, the Jamuna Rail Bridge, constructed over the Jamuna River, has successfully conducted full-speed trial train operations. On Sunday, trains began trial runs, signaling the readiness of the 4.8-kilometer-long dual-gauge, double-track bridge for eventual public use.
The trials commenced at 9:20 AM with two trains moving at 20 km/h from the east and west ends of the bridge. At 10:20 AM, the speed was increased to 60 km/h as trains crossed the bridge from both sides. By 11:01 AM, one train reached 80 km/h as it entered the bridge from the western end, while another train from the eastern end exited the bridge at 11:05 AM. The trials culminated with trains running at a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
The trial operations will conclude on Monday, after which a detailed report will be submitted to the Ministry of Railways for final review. The ministry will then decide on the official inauguration date, according to project director Al Fattah Md. Masudur Rahman.
Construction of the Jamuna Rail Bridge began in late 2020, 400 meters upstream of the Jamuna Road Bridge, at a cost of approximately Tk 16,780 crore. The bridge, designed to accommodate dual-gauge and double-track railways, is the largest railway bridge in the country. Preliminary trials with trains running at 40 km/h were completed on November 26, 2024.
Project officials have indicated that the trial runs aim to test the bridge's structural integrity, load capacity, and safety under varying speeds. "Trains running from both ends of the bridge at increasing speeds demonstrate the readiness of this vital infrastructure," said Rahman.
Once operational, the Jamuna Rail Bridge will significantly enhance connectivity and reduce travel time between the country's eastern and western regions. It is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting trade, commerce, and passenger movement, contributing to the nation's economic growth.
