Revised cost increased by Tk 4,667cr to Tk 10,242cr

The cost of the long-awaited Bogura�"Sirajganj railway project has increased by Tk 4,667 crore under its first revision. The project was initially approved with an estimated cost of Tk 5,579.70 crore. Under the revised proposal, the cost has increased substantially to Tk 10,242 crore, marking an increase of nearly 84 percent over the original estimate.

The project, titled “Construction of a New Dual-Gauge Railway Line from Bogura to Sirajganj,” is considered an important initiative to establish a direct railway connection between the two northern districts.

The revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been prepared to revive the project, which has remained stalled for several years. The revised proposal is expected to go before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval through the Planning Commission.

According to project officials, the sharp rise in the cost has been driven by changes in the project scope, higher land acquisition costs, increased prices of construction materials and other inputs, and changes in the exchange rate since the original project was approved in 2018.

The original project was approved by the ECNEC on October 30, 2018, with an estimated cost of Tk 5,579.70 crore. Of the total, Tk 3,146.59 crore was expected to come as a loan from India.
However, following the change of government in August 2024, India withdrew from financing the project, creating uncertainty over its implementation. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has subsequently emerged as a potential financing partner.

The project involves construction of an approximately 87-km dual-gauge railway line between Bogura and Sirajganj. Once completed, it is expected to significantly shorten the existing rail route between the two districts.

At present, trains travelling between Bogura and Sirajganj have to take a longer route through Santahar, Natore and Ishwardi. The new direct railway link is expected to reduce the distance by around 114 km and save nearly three hours of travel time.

The project also includes construction of major railway bridges, numerous small and large bridges, railway and road overpasses, new railway stations and junctions, as well as reconstruction of existing stations.

The new rail link is expected to improve passenger connectivity while facilitating the movement of agricultural products, industrial goods and raw materials between northern districts and other parts of the country.

The project’s implementation period has also been extended. The original deadline was June 2023, which was later extended to June 2026. Under the revised proposal, the project is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2031.

Officials said the increase in project cost reflects the current market situation and the revised requirements identified during the detailed design and implementation planning.

The huge increase in cost, however, has put greater emphasis on ensuring efficient use of public funds and timely completion of the project. If implemented as planned, the Bogura�"Sirajganj railway could become a major transport link for the northern region, reducing travel time and strengthening regional trade and economic connectivity.