Photo shows a decorated train awaiting inaugural run at the Chinese-built Padma Bridge Rail Link Project in Munshiganj, Bangladesh on Oct. 10, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

As the first train of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP), carrying Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, departed from a new station on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka at 12:59 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the first section of the biggest railway in Bangladesh formally opened.

The PBRLP, one of significant projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Bangladesh, was built by the China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China.

The first section of the railway link is about 80 km long from Dhaka to Bhanga. Thousands of people from Munshiganj and adjacent districts witnessed the landmark inaugural ceremony in the Mawa station at the Munshiganj district.

"I am very happy because we never thought that our generation would see this," Munshiganj resident Sheikh Azhar Hossain told Xinhua.

At the inaugural ceremony held before the train running, Hasina said, "It is the day of fulfilling the dream to cross the Padma river by train."

Noting that they have a target to link Bangladesh's railway with the trans Asian railway, Hasina said, "We're working to this end."

Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said, "this is a landmark project under the BRI."

Once the rail link becomes fully operational, he said, this project will help make a major boost to the country's railway connectivity and economic development.

Loud cheers and applauses were heard, as Hasina unveiled a plaque to inaugurate the rail link.

After attending the rally, Hasina boarded on the special train by purchasing ticket to reach Bhanga in Faridpur.

The train which was decorated with colorful balloons and ribbons also carried the Chinese ambassador, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, senior officials, lawmakers, among others.

Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, known locally as Nixon Chowdhury, a parliamentary member from Faridpur, told Xinhua that the PBRLP has been launched to improve southern Bangladeshi districts both economically and socially.

"This is not only the bridge of our dreams but also our economic emancipation," said the parliamentarian.

This is a "historic moment", said Bangladeshi lawmaker Saifuzzaman Shikhar when taking a commissioning passenger train, adding, "I'm crossing the Padma Bridge by train. It was a matter of our past dreams. But it is a reality today."

Sujan, who almost attended every important event of the project, earlier told Xinhua, "I would like to thank the CREC on behalf of the government and the country's residents. Hopefully they will work more with us in the future."

The entire 172-km project, which will lead to Jashore eventually in the southwestern region of Bangladesh, is scheduled for completion in 2024.

It will serve as a vital channel that connects Dhaka and more than 20 districts in the southern area of Bangladesh, and will also be an important part of the trans-Asian railway network to promote regional connectivity and economic development of Bangladesh.

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