Government plans to convert Panchagarh-Cox’s Bazar metre-gauge rail network to broad gauge

The multi-phase master plan includes modernising railway signalling for seamless travel

The government has outlined a massive master plan to phase out old metre-gauge tracks and convert the entire rail network from Panchagarh to Cox’s Bazar into a uniform broad-gauge system.

It has also taken initiatives to modernise the railway signalling system and develop a seamless, time-saving rail transport network.

The plans were discussed at a meeting on the future development of Bangladesh Railway held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the meeting held detailed discussions on medium- and long-term plans for the railway sector.

“Plans have been taken to gradually convert the metre-gauge lines from Panchagarh to Cox’s Bazar into broad gauge and modernise the railway signalling system, among other initiatives,” he said.

“The meeting also discussed how these plans would be financed,” he added.