After implementing a pilot project on the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur railway corridor, the government is planning to extend the proposed electric train network up to Chittagong. The move is seen as a major step toward modernising the country’s railway system.
The expansion is expected to introduce electric train services on the busy Dhaka-Chittagong route—Bangladesh’s busiest railway corridor. This is anticipated to improve passenger services, speed up freight movement, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
A similar initiative for the Dhaka-Chittagong route had earlier been taken under the Awami League government.
Engineer Md. Rafiqul Islam, Chief Planning Officer (CPO) of Bangladesh Railway’s Planning Cell, told BSS that the government has taken steps to introduce modern electric trains capable of running at a maximum speed of 140 km per hour. The Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur section has been selected as the country’s first electric train corridor for this purpose.
He added that the pilot project has already received approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The project, estimated to cost around Tk 3,500 crore, will be largely financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The government will bear the internal costs, duties, and VAT associated with imported equipment.
According to the plan, the tender process is targeted for completion by 2027, with major construction work expected to accelerate from mid-2028.
Under the pilot, 16 sets of modern Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains will be imported. These trains will have driver’s cabs at both ends, eliminating the need to turn the train around and allowing more frequent services.
Expanding electric train services to Chittagong is viewed as an important step in extending the modern rail network beyond the initial pilot corridor.
Rafiqul Islam noted that the Dhaka-Chittagong railway is highly important for both passenger and freight transport, linking the capital with the country’s main seaport and key commercial centres. Introducing electric locomotives on this route would significantly improve container and heavy cargo movement while reducing travel time and operating costs.
He said that currently around 60,000–70,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers are transported annually by rail from Chittagong to Dhaka, accounting for only about three per cent of total container movement. The Dhirashram Inland Container Depot (ICD) project aims to raise rail-based container transport to 450,000 TEUs per year, further increasing the role of rail in freight.
The CPO added that developing modern freight-handling facilities alongside the electric train expansion would strengthen Bangladesh Railway’s commercial capacity.
Railway sources said Bangladesh Railway has already taken several preparatory steps to create a suitable environment for launching electric trains and expanding the service in the future. Work is progressing on the third and fourth lines between Dhaka and Tongi, while the double-line work on the Tongi-Joydebpur section has been completed. Additional land is being acquired at Joydebpur for a modern EMU depot and workshop to support train maintenance and operations.
Meanwhile, existing metre-gauge lines on the Tongi-Akhaura and Laksam-Chittagong sections are being converted into dual-gauge double lines to strengthen infrastructure for future electrification.
Sources further said the government is currently prioritising electric trains with a maximum speed of 140 km/h rather than bullet trains running at around 350 km/h. Rafiqul Islam noted that a bullet train could require an investment of Tk 1.5–2.5 lakh crore, and land acquisition in densely populated agricultural areas would pose major challenges. Considering construction costs and land requirements, the electric train plan is being viewed as a more realistic option for modernising rail connectivity.
The introduction of electric trains is also expected to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution while lowering dependence on fossil fuels. Bangladesh Railway is evaluating the environmental benefits of the new projects and the potential to earn carbon credits through internationally recognised processes.
The Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur pilot is expected to lay the foundation for a larger electric rail network, with Chittagong identified as the next major destination for expansion. Extending the service to Chittagong could bring significant improvements in passenger and freight transport, enabling faster connectivity, greater operational efficiency, and a more environmentally friendly transport system.