Online Desk  :  The government is advancing plans for a ‘Green Railway’ initiative to shift transportation pressure away from roads and mitigate environmental impacts. Bangladesh remains heavily reliant on road transport for both goods and passengers, with 96% of goods from ports transported via road and only 4% using rail or waterways. This overreliance on roads contributes significantly to fossil fuel consumption and environmental pollution.

Master plan for green railway development : A comprehensive master plan has been introduced to modernise the railways and promote eco-friendly transport. The World Bank, a key development partner of Bangladesh, is set to invest in this plan. Currently, railway engines operate on diesel, exacerbating pollution. To counter this, Bangladesh Railways is initiating electric train services on select routes.

Mega projects underway : Bangladesh Railways has outlined several mega projects to realise a green railway system. The Technical Assistant Project Proposal (TAPP) will determine routes, implementation costs, and other details. The “Green Railway Transport Preparatory Technical Assistance” project will cost approximately Tk 93.51 crore, with funding from the government (Tk 28.37 crore) and the World Bank (Tk 65.14 crore). The project is scheduled to run from January 2025 to December 2026.

Key initiatives include : Feasibility studies for station building reconstruction and the development of multimodal transport hubs at Kamalapur and the Airport Railway Station. Establishing rail connections and yard development for the Chattogram Bay Terminal Link and Mirsarai Economic Zone. Purchasing freight locomotives, relief trains, and wheel lathes.

Aim to reduce pressure on roads : The preparatory project aims to develop infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and enhance passenger services, making Bangladesh Railways an eco-friendly and sustainable transport system. Shifting goods transport from roads to railways will reduce environmental pollution and lower fuel consumption. Al Fattah Md Masudur Rahman, Additional Director General (Infrastructure) of Bangladesh Railways, stated, “We aim to reduce road pressure by enhancing railway infrastructure and operations. Transporting goods via railways will not only save fuel but also lower costs and environmental impacts.”

Electric railway expansion : While many countries, including neighbouring India, already operate electric railways, Bangladesh’s efforts in this area have been limited to the metro rail. However, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is investing $255 million in the Bangladesh Railway’s electric traction project, aimed at electrifying the Narayanganj-Joydebpur line. The project, slated for completion by 2033, will cover 348.16 kilometers of track on the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram and Tongi-Joydevpur sections. Trains will initially operate at a speed of 120 km/h, with potential upgrades in the future. This system is expected to save time, reduce road transport pressure, conserve fuel, and lower environmental impact.

Economic and operational benefits : The proposed electric railway is projected to deliver significant returns: 24% economic return on the Joydebpur-Narayanganj commuter line. 41% economic return on the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram main line. Additionally, railway operations are expected to achieve a 15% financial return on commuter lines and 25% return on main lines.

Al Fattah Md Masudur Rahman highlighted, “Electrifying the railway will not only enhance cargo transport efficiency but also yield higher financial returns. It will reduce road transport dependency, save fuel, and contribute to a green transport system, ultimately lowering operational costs and increasing average speeds.” The transition to an environmentally friendly railway system aligns with Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development goals.