CHATTOGRAM, June 12: Four Korean joint venture (JV) firms have submitted Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to the Bangladesh Railway (BR) authorities for the appointment of a consultant for the much-talked about new Kalurghat Rail-Cum-Road Bridge construction " a project of Tk 11,560.77 crore, official sources said.
The RFP bid submissions were made on Wednesday, making the consultant selection process highly competitive. Project Director (PD) Engineer Abul Kalam Chowdhury said the deadline for the consultant selection had been extended to June 10. These four Korean JV firms successfully submitted both their technical and financial proposals by the revised deadline.
The Export-Import Bank of Korea (EXIM Bank) approved the RFP on 18 March. On 24 March, the BR authorities invited the five shortlisted firms to submit their proposals.
According to the PD, the appointment of the consultant is expected to be finalised within the next two months.
The foundation stone of the project was laid on 14 May last year at the Kalurghat point on the Karnaphuli River during the interim government's tenure.
Residents of Boalkhali and parts of Patiya upazilas on the outskirts of Chattogram have long demanded a new bridge at Kalurghat, as the existing century-old bridge, which carries both road vehicles and trains, has become severely dilapidated and inadequate for growing traffic demands.
The new bridge will be constructed alongside the existing structure to ensure smooth and uninterrupted communication between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.
The project includes the construction of a 700-metre rail-cum-road bridge, a 6.20-kilometre (km) railway viaduct, a 2.40km road viaduct, 4.54km of embankments, 11.44km of railway track, and other ancillary works.
Progress on the project accelerated following the signing of a loan agreement with EXIM Bank on June 27, 2024.
The bridge will serve as the only dual-purpose rail and road crossing linking Chattogram Port with key industrial zones. It is expected to significantly reduce logistics costs, boost trade, and contribute substantially to the country's economic growth.
Earlier, Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) appointed Yooshin Engineering Corporation as the consultant responsible for preparing the Development Project Proposal (DPP). The firm also submitted the project's feasibility study report to Bangladesh Railway.
The demand for a new bridge over the Karnaphuli River at Kalurghat has persisted for decades. For years, local residents depended on the ageing bridge, which has been in operation for more than 90 years.
According to the BR sources, the government undertook the project to improve connectivity and facilitate future communication with Myanmar through the Chattogram-Gundum railway corridor.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the Tk 11,560.77 crore project on October 7.
Of the total project cost, Tk 4,435.62 crore will be provided by the Government of Bangladesh, while the remaining Tk 7,125.15 crore will be financed through South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF).
In addition to strengthening rail connectivity between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar, the project aims to enhance links with China, India and Myanmar through the Trans-Asian Railway Network. It will also provide a dedicated rail corridor for the uninterrupted movement of goods from the Matarbari Deep Seaport in Moheshkhali, Cox's Bazar.
The BR began renovating the 94-year-old Kalurghat Bridge in August 2023 to accommodate trains on the newly introduced Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route, which was launched in November that year. The bridge was reopened to traffic on October 27, 2024, following the completion of renovation works.
