DHAKA, 29 September 2021, (TON): Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan yesterday sought India's cooperation for the quick release of funds for the projects which are being implemented under the Indian Line of Credit (LoC), in order to maintain deadlines.

The minister made the request as six railway projects under the Indian LoC fund are running behind the schedule, while several of them already saw a huge cost escalation.

Sujan was speaking at a contract-signing ceremony in relation to an Indian-funded project at Rail Bhaban where Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami was present as a guest of honour.

The Bangladesh Railway (BR) yesterday signed a contract with an Indian joint venture firm for consultancy services for a project to construct a direct rail line from Sirajganj to Bogura.

Under the Tk 97.56 crore contract, RITES Ltd and Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Pvt Ltd of India will work for updating the project's feasibility study, detailed design, and preparing tender documents.

They will also provide construction supervision services when the physical work of the project will start, expectedly by mid-2023.

Project Director Abu Zafor Miah and Sanjay Agarwal, executive director (regional projects) of RITES signed the contract on behalf of their respective organisations.