Dhaka, Dec. 22 -- Bangladesh Railway (BR) has yet to formulate a comprehensive plan to incorporate electric traction in its upcoming development projects, despite a policy-level decision made a decade ago.

While over 70 countries have shifted to electric train services, BR remains limited to a few specialised projects. One of these is expected to reach the physical stage next year for operating commuter trains.

Sources said the state-owned rail track developer has already launched two projects on the Dhaka-Chattogram rail corridor to convert the existing two-lane metre gauge into dual gauge, estimating the cost at Tk 333.08 billion. Inclusion of electric traction in these projects could reduce both costs and time by carrying track devel...