Tongi–Bhairab–Akhaura line

The Tongi–Bhairab–Akhaura line is a railway line connecting Tongi and Akhaura, via Bhairab Bazar in Bangladesh. There is a branch line from Bhairab Bazar to Mymensingh via Gouripur. These tracks are under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh Railway.

Tongi–Bhairab–Akhaura line
Overview
StatusOperational
LocaleBangladesh
TerminiTongi
Akhaura
Stations19
Operation
Opened1910–14
OwnerBangladesh Railway
Technical
Number of tracks2/ 1 ?
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Operating speed?

History

In response to the demand of the Assam tea planters for a railway link to Chittagong port, Assam Bengal Railway started construction of a railway track on the eastern side of Bengal in 1891. A 150-kilometre long (93 mi) track between Chittagong and Comilla was opened to traffic in 1895. The Comilla–Akhaura–Kulaura–Badarpur section was opened in 1896–98 and finally extended to Lumding in 1903. In an effort to link this line running on the eastern bank of the Meghna with the rail system on the western bank of the Meghna, the Tongi–Akhaura line came up between 1910 and 1914. However, there was no bridge across the Meghna at that time.[1][2][3]

Bhairab railway bridge
Meghna Railway Bridge

The bridge over the Meghna River, popularly known as the Bhairab railway bridge, was opened on 6 December 1937, enabling passage between Dhaka and Chittagong.[1][4]

In November 2011, the Bangladesh Railway signed an agreement with two Indian private companies for the feasibility study, detail design and preparation of tender documents for the construction of the second Bhairab rail bridge across the Meghna and second rail bridge across the Titas River.[5]

The 1.2-kilometre long (0.75 mi) Bangladesh–UK Friendship Bridge, completed in 2002, carries the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway across the Meghna between Bhairab Bazar and Ashuganj.[6]

Developments

Bangladesh Railway signed a deal with a Chinese firm in July 2011 for doubling the 64-kilometre (40 mi) single-line Tongi–Bhairab Bazar track. It is expected to be completed by 2014. Doubling of the 71-kilometre (44 mi) Akhaura–Laksam section was initiated in 2007.[7]

Bhairab Bazar–Kishoreganj–Gouripur–Mymensingh line

While the Narayanganj–Bahadurabad Ghat Line runs along the southern bank of the old channel of the Brahmaputra River, the Bhairab Bazar–Kishoreganj–Gouripur–Mymensingh line covers the northern bank of the river.

The Mymensingh–Bhairab Bazar Railway Company constructed this line between 1912 and 1918. It was acquired by the government in 1948–49 and the Assam Bengal Railway Company was in charge of the management of the line.[1]

There are two lines branching out of this line – a short Shyamganj-Jaria Janjail Line and a long Gouripur-Netrokona-Mohanganj Line.[1]

References
  1. Fida, Quazi Abul (2012). "Railway". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  2. "Report on the administration of North East India (1921–22)". p. 46. Google Books/ Mttal Publishers Distributors. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  3. Singh, S.N.; Narain, Amarendra; Kumar, Purnendu (2006). Socio Economic and Political Problems of Tea Garden Workers: A Study of Assam. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. p. 105. ISBN 81-8324-098-4.
  4. "Bridges of Bangladesh – Bhairab Rail Bridge". Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  5. "Deal on 2nd Bhairab, Titas rail bridges construction signed". Pakistan Defence. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  6. "Bhairab Bridge, Bangladesh". Halcrow. Archived from the original on 6 November 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  7. "Tongi-Bhairab Double Tracks: Railway signs deal with Chinese firm". The Daily Star, 28 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
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