The government is preparing to expand railway connectivity in southwestern Bangladesh by developing a new 70-kilometre rail corridor linking Magura with Jhenaidah, Darshana and Poradaha junctions.

Bangladesh Railway (BR) has proposed a Tk 105.05 million feasibility study to examine the proposed route, assess engineering and technical requirements, and determine the likely cost of the project, according to a railway ministry official.

The proposal has already been submitted to the Planning Commission for approval, the official said.

The planned railway corridor is being considered as part of the government’s broader objective of bringing all 64 districts under the national rail network. Magura and some areas of Jhenaidah have remained outside the country’s railway network despite their growing economic and transport importance.

According to BR, the proposed line would extend the ongoing rail connectivity from Faridpur through Madhukhali to Magura and link it with the existing western railway network through Darshana and Poradaha.

The new connection is expected to create an alternative rail route for passengers and freight travelling between the southwestern region and Dhaka. Officials believe the corridor could particularly improve access to Dhaka for people in western border areas through the Padma Bridge railway network.

The railway expansion is being pursued in phases. The first phase involves the 19.90-kilometre broad-gauge Madhukhali-Magura railway line, which is around 50.50 per cent complete in physical terms. The project’s operation was earlier targeted for late 2025 or early 2026, subject to necessary land-related adjustments.

The second phase would focus on determining the alignment of the proposed Magura-Jhenaidah-Darshana-Poradaha route. The feasibility study would examine the alignment through Jhenaidah and Garganj and identify the engineering requirements for connecting the new line with the existing Darshana-Poradaha network.

The proposed railway link is also expected to strengthen commercial activity in the region. Local business representatives and urban planners believe improved rail connectivity could reduce transportation costs and facilitate the movement of goods between southwestern Bangladesh and India.

A direct connection with the Darshana Land Port network could provide additional support to cross-border trade by improving the movement of industrial raw materials and finished products.

The planned corridor also comes alongside a broader effort to upgrade western railway infrastructure. The government has recently approved a Tk 20.29 billion Western Railway Track Rehabilitation Initiative, which is expected to improve the capacity and condition of existing railway lines.

Officials believe the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, combined with the proposed new corridor, would help the western railway network accommodate increased freight movement and intercity passenger services while reducing the risk of congestion at key junctions such as Poradaha.