Staff Reporter, Dhaka :
 The Jamuna Railway Bridge, the country’s largest railway bridge, was officially launched through an inauguration ceremony on March 18, 2025. Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is also one of the flagship cooperations between Japan and Bangladesh. The 4.8 km long dedicated railway bridge will boost the transportation of passengers and various goods, including agricultural products from northern districts, promising positive economic and social impacts on the livelihoods of the region, because of smooth and efficient rail connectivity between the Eastern and Western zones of Bangladesh.

The construction of the bridge began in 2020 and was completed without delay. The project has adopted cutting-edge Japanese technology for long-term sustainability and reduction of recurrent operation and maintenance costs. Trains can reach speeds up to 100 km/hr on the bridge.

Among the dignitaries, SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, was present during the ceremony. From JICA, Ito Teruyuki, Director General, South Asia Department and Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office joined the event.

Md. Fahimul Islam, Secretary, Ministry of Railways, and Md Afzal Hossain, Director General, Bangladesh Railway, were also present at the event.

Ito Teruyuki, Director General, South Asia Department of JICA delivered a speech on behalf of JICA President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, and said, “The completion of this bridge demonstrates remarkable joint efforts by engineers and professionals from Bangladesh, Japan, and other countries to bring about a successful outcome. I can tell that the bridge would significantly contribute to connectivity improvement and more trade and investment as the BIG-B initiative (Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt) expects.”

Md. Fahimul Islam, Secretary, Ministry of Railways, thanked the people of Japan and all related members of the project, including the engineers and contractors, for their generous support to the people of Bangladesh.