Raaz Mostafa:

Uncertainty looms over Bogura-Sirajganj Railway Project as it has now been plagued with manifold problems including fund crisis, land acquisition and bureaucratic complexities.

Monirul Islam Firoji, Project Director (PD) of Bogura-Railway Project said, “The process of land acquisition on the verge of completion except giving payment of land value (money) to the owners. But, it will depend on the release of fund by the concerned authorities that raises one of the uncertainties. Besides, there was a deal of conducting construction work with the Indian firm that poses another uncertainty in context of continuing the project.”

“Even after trying to several times, it was not possible to communicate with the Indian construction firm in the last one and half month. Now, all are waiting for the decision of the concerned ministry over the issue. We however, expecting that the ministry will take decision positively,” he added.

Bangladesh Railway took the initiative to construct Bogura-Sirajganj Railway to improve the communication between capital city Dhaka and 16 districts of the northern region. If the project is completed, fuel cost of several crores of Taka will be saved. Not only that, the distance between the capital and Bogura will be reduced by 112 kilometers and it will save the commuters’ travel time approximately three to four hours. It will enhance the trade and commerce of both regions in the country.

According to sources, the distance between Bogura and Sirajganj is only 72 km. But there is no direct railway between the two prominent districts of the northern region. Consequently, commuters are forced to travel additional 112 km distance during their movement.

To reduce the sufferings of the commuters, the government took the initiative to implement Sirajganj-Bogura railway. There was a schedule to construct 85 km track from Shaheed M Mansur Ali station in Sirajganj to Ranirhat in Shajahanpur upazila of Bogura. Out of this, the length from Bogura station to Shaheed M Mansoor Ali station will be about 75 km. Distance from Ranirhat station to Kahalu station is about 11.5 km.

Railway officials say that, apart from the railway line, a 16 km loop line and eight new railway stations from Bogura to Sirajganj will be constructed. The stations included Sadanandpur, Krishandia, Raiganj, Chandaikona, Sherpur, Ariyabazar, Ranirhat and Kahalu. Between them, there will be a junction at Ranirhat and Kahalu. This railway will save crores of Taka annually on fuel purpose.

The design and consultancy work has already been completed. About Tk 28 crore has been spent on the purpose of project officers and employees’ salaries and allowances in the last six years. A total of 960 acres of land has to be acquired for the railway. Notice has already been issued for acquisition of 467 acres of land in Sirajganj and 479.15 acres of land in Bogura, the project related sources claimed.

But the project officials could not give any accurate information about when the construction of this public important project will start. As a result, uncertainty looms.