Railways Minister Suranjit Sengupta yesterday sought more financial assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for construction of railways from Dohajari to Gundum near Myanmar boarder via Cox’s bazar.

“The ADB expressed keenness to provide assistance supporting reform programmes of Bangladesh Railway (BR) to make it a modern outfit in the region,” he told newsmen after a meeting with a high level ADB delegation in his ministry.

The seven-member ADB delegation headed by its Vice- president Xiaoyu Zhao along with the country director M. Teresa Kho met the minister and emphasised taking institutional and financial reform programmes.

The minister also sought ADB’s financial help for land acquisition for laying 128 km line from Dohajari to Gundum.

The cost estimated for construction of railway on this section is $ 450 million in which ADB will provide $ 350 million and the remaining $ 100 million will be arranged by Bangladesh.

“The ADB delegation has assured help for upgrading the railway network including the ongoing projects,” Suranjit said.

The minister said: “ADB is a major development partner of Bangladesh especially of Bangladesh Railway and it is also supporting reforms in the railway sector.

The 128-kilometre railway will link the tourist destination Cox’s Bazar with the existing railway network in Bangladesh and join the country with Trans- Asian Railway network.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 16th March 2012