Govt to build 2nd Bhairab, Titas railway bridges

The government has taken initiatives to construct the second Bhairab and Titas railway bridges over Meghna and Titas rivers with the Indian Line of Credit, Railways Minister Mujibul Haque told parliament yesterday.

Replying to queries, the minister said the government is working to upgrade the 320km Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor to double lines, of which the work on a 124km stretch of the railway has been completed.

He said the government will construct the remaining 196km with funds from Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and Asian Development Bank.        

He informed the parliament that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already inaugurated the 64km Laksam-Chinki Astana double lines project on Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor, which is being financed by Jica.

Besides, the government has also undertaken a project for remodelling the Chittagong Station Yard with fund from Jica as a part of developing Bangladesh Railway, said Mujibul Haque.

Meanwhile, a bill was placed in the parliament aiming to increase gratuity of Supreme Court and High Court judges in case of compulsory surrender of their pension.  

Law Minister Anisul Haq placed the bill.