The Munshiganj district’s Nimtala Railway Station, which is part of the Padma Rail Link project, is set to become operational for passenger and freight transport in December. Plans are underway to establish a container depot in connection with the station. Once the depot is operational, it will contribute to the success of the Trans-Asia Railway Network. Therefore, stakeholders have expressed hope that Nimtala will transform into a thriving commercial hub in the future.
Regular long-distance train services have already commenced passing through this significant Nimtala Station from the current month. Passenger services are scheduled to begin in December. When passenger services commence, the station premises will be bustling with activity in all directions. Apart from essential buildings, 13 other structures, including a goods shed and dormitories, have been completed at this extensive station. A foot overbridge has been constructed to facilitate movement between platforms. The Dhaka-Mawa Bangabandhu Express gives the station special importance due to its geographical location.
Brigadier Ahmed Jamil Islam, Project Director-2 of the Padma Rail Link project, stated that as part of the plan to establish a container depot, 100 acres of land have been acquired around the station. The area will evolve into a more significant commercial center in the future. The station is integrated into the computer-based interlocking signaling system known as the “CBI” system.
He further mentioned that the progress of this 1,400-meter-long station, including maintenance workshops, is at 90 percent completion. Engineer Alamgir Hossein, the project engineer of the Padma Bridge Rail Network, informed the press that the project includes 20 stations along the 172-kilometer rail line. Nimtala Station, with its container facility, holds particular significance among these stations. This station is expected to play a crucial role in international trade routes, facilitating the efficient movement of goods.
The distance from Kamalapur to Nimtala Station will be 27 kilometers. From here, the distance to Mawa Station is 13.4 kilometers, and the distance to the Padma Bridge is approximately 16 kilometers. Alamgir Hossen also stated that once the container station is operational in Adiariabil, many international products will be released from this station. Additionally, goods can be shipped from this station. Therefore, this station will become a central hub for industries, including garment factories.
In the future, if there is an airport in Arial Bil, the significance of this station will further increase. It will surpass even the Dhaka Airport Station. The container station near Nimtala Railway Station will be modern and equipped with multifaceted facilities. Technology will be employed for the swift loading and unloading of containers and goods.
Commercial train operations on the Dhaka-Bhanga railway line began on November 1. With the addition of this new railway line, two pairs of trains are now regularly operating on the Khulna-Dhaka and Benapole-Dhaka routes. Completing the remaining work on the new Dhaka-Jashore line is expected by the beginning of next year, enabling trains to run on the new route from Dhaka to Jashore via Nimtala Station.
