Dhaka: Bangladesh and India on Thursday signed two contracts for the construction of a new broad-gauge line between Khulna-Darsana and conversion of metre gauge line into a dual-gauge line between Parbatipur and Kaunia.

"Milestone in India-Bangladesh development cooperation! Consultancy Contracts for Khulna-Darsana and Parbatipur-Kaunia rail projects under India LOC signed today. These projects will enhance rail connectivity in Bangladesh and have potential to transform cross-border goods movement, boosting sub-regional growth," Indian High Commission in Bangladesh wrote in a tweet.

The contract signing ceremony was held at the Railway Ministry in Dhaka between representatives of the consultancy firm from India and the Bangladesh counterpart for the project.

Railway Minister of Bangladesh Md. Nurul Islam Sujan was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Senior officials of Bangladesh Railway and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka were also present during the agreement signing ceremony.

The two projects are being implemented with financing under the Indian Line of Credit (LoC).

The 126-kilometre long Khulna-Darshana broad gauge rail line will have 147 bridges over it including 4 Girder bridges and 143 RCC box culvert bridges. The project cost is Taka 3506 crore out of which Taka 2689 crore will come from the Indian Line of Credit. The current contract is for undertaking the feasibility study with detailed engineering design for the project.

The project for the conversion of the metre gauge line from Parbatipur to Kaunia to dual gauge line will cover a distance of 57 kilometres. It has seven railway stations as well as 47 bridges including 14 girder bridges and 33 box culvert bridges.

Speaking on the occasion Railway Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan said that after the construction of the Parbatipur-Kaunia dual gauge line, connectivity of Bangladesh with India, Nepal and Bhutan will increase. It will facilitate the growth of both passenger and cargo services.

Highlighting the expansion of the railway system the Railway Minister said that Bangladesh is converting its metre gauge line into Broad gauge line gradually. All new rail line expansion in Bangladesh is being done as broad gauge lines, said the Minister.

He said that out of the 8 railway intersections functional before the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, 5 have already been operationalised. The remaining intersections will also be operationalised in phases.