Munshiganj: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday opened the construction work on the rail link between Dhaka and Jashore under the ‘Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project.’

She also unveiled the plaque of Padma Bridge’s name, ‘Padma Multipurpose Bridge’.

The first phase of the ‘Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project’ will establish rail link between Mawa and Bhanga via Janjira and Shibchar through the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, reports the UNB.

This will connect Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Narail and Jashore.

China Railway Group Limited, a Chinese government-nominated contractor, is implementing the project under China G2G system.

A loan agreement was signed with Chinese Exim Bank for $2667.94 million in this regard.

A 23-km ballast-less elevated viaduct rail line will be set up under the project.

On the elevated viaduct, two platforms, one mainline and two loop lines will be constructed along with installation of elevators.

Earlier upon her arrival at Mawa at 11 am, the Prime Minister first unveiled a plaque of the progress of the work of the 6.15-km bridge on the Mawa side.

Sheikh Hasina later inspected the progress of the Dhaka-Mawa and Pacchar-Bhanga parts of the N-8 Highway at the Mawa end and inaugurated the construction work on the rail link (Mawa side).

She also opened the permanent riverbank protection work adjacent to the main river training work and visited the overall progress work of the bridge on the Mawa side.