10 more districts to be brought under railway network: Minister

Road Transport, Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam announced on Tuesday that the government plans to expand the railway network to 10 additional districts, with a particular focus on the southern region of the country.
Speaking at a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the secretariat, the minister said the government’s long-term goal is to gradually bring all districts under the national railway network.
The districts identified for the expansion are Sherpur, Meherpur, Magura, Satkhira, Barishal, Barguna, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur and Lakshmipur.
He said a recent review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assessed the progress of ongoing railway projects, the country’s transport infrastructure and measures to improve service quality. 
“Several important decisions were taken at the meeting,” he added.
According to the minister, the proposed Faridpur-Kuakata railway line will connect all districts in Barishal division except Bhola, for which government approval is yet to be granted.
He also highlighted several major transport projects, including the Akhaura-Sylhet and Sirajganj-Bogura railway lines, while noting that the Dhirashram Inland Container Depot (ICD) project has already been approved.
Infrastructure development is underway on the Dhaka-Chattogram route, with plans to construct dual-gauge double lines on the Tongi-Akhaura and Laksam-Sylhet sections.
The minister said 49 districts currently have railway connectivity and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to extending rail services to all 64 districts.