The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) today approved the much-talked about Tk 34,988 crore project of Padma Bridge rail link from Dhaka to Jessore.

Of the total, the government will finance Tk 10,239 crore while China Tk 24,749 crore.

The Ecnec meeting, which is presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, set a target to implement the project by 2022.

The rail route is aimed to connect Dhaka with the south-western part of the country.

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The network will be set up in two phases: first, Dhaka to Maowa to Bhanga and second, Bhanga to Jessore.

Earlier, the prime minister instructed the departments concerned to get the railway network completed by the day the government opens the Padma Bridge to the public. The government is constructing the Padma Bridge on its own fund.

As many as 1,644 acres of land has to be acquired in eight districts including Dhaka, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Faridpur for the rail network.

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Once completed, the new rail route will shorten the travel distance of Dhaka-Jessore, Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Darsana by 184.72 kilometres, 212.05 kilometres and 44.24 kilometres respectively.

The rail link will become a vital corridor in terms of national as well as regional railway traffic according to the project proposal.