Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan on Tuesday hinted that Dhaka-Bhanga rail link through the Padma Bridge can  be launched on 16 December 2022 if things go smoothly.

“It will be impossible to install the tracks within June 2022 if the bridge authorities do not hand over the work to railway within December 2021 or January 2022.”

“If bridge and rail operation cannot begin together, we will try to start rail operation on Dhaka-Bhanga route from December 2022," he added.

Read: Padma Bridge: Installation of all roadway slabs completed

The minister was talking to the press following inspection of the rail link project at both ends of the Padma Bridge on Tuesday morning.

Railway Secretary Selim Reza, Director General of Railways Dhirendranath Majumder, Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Director Md Afzal Hossain were also present during the visit.