‘No risk from soil removal beneath Padma Rail Bridge’

The ongoing excavation beneath the viaduct of the Padma Rail Bridge in Narayanganj is an essential part of the project and poses no risk to the railway infrastructure, Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has said.

He added that misinformation and rumours surrounding the work have created unnecessary confusion after inspecting the soil removal work beneath the Padma Rail Bridge viaduct at Aliganj in Fatullah, Narayanganj.

“The removal of soil will not compromise the safety of the railway line or the viaduct. Rather, the work is being carried out to ensure the project’s long-term safety, restore the natural environment, and meet future development requirements. Unfortunately, the matter has been misrepresented, leading to public misunderstanding,” the minister said.

The minister said that of the project’s total 16.76-kilometre alignment, soil had already been removed from 14.41 kilometres. The remaining 2.34 kilometres will be excavated to an average depth of about 3.5 feet.

“There is absolutely no risk to the viaduct or the railway infrastructure. The work is necessary to restore natural water flow, maintain environmental balance, and ensure the overall safety of the project,” he said.

Seeking public cooperation, Sheikh Robiul Alam said the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Railway are carrying out the work carefully and in accordance with the approved plan to safeguard the infrastructure and protect national interests.

Responding to a question from reporters, the minister clarified that the excavation is not a flaw in the project but an integral part of its approved design and contract.

“The soil being removed was temporarily filled to facilitate the movement of heavy construction equipment during the construction of the viaduct. As stipulated in the project design and contractual agreement, the temporary fill is now being removed to complete the project safely,” he explained.

Among those present were State Minister for Railways Habibur Rahman, Railways Ministry Secretary Fahimul Islam, Project Director Brigadier Abul Hasnat Mohammad Sayem, Narayanganj Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman Munshi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Kafi Bin Kabir, Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, District Council Administrator Professor Mamun Mahmud, and senior officials from the Bangladesh Army and other government agencies.