Save the Environment Movement and the Work for Better Bangladesh Trust jointly organised an opinion-sharing meeting demanding on Measures for Long-term Development of Railway: perspective rail factory at 16 April 2013, Tuesdays at 10.30 in the city’s CIRDAP auditorium. WBBT development officer Atiqur Rahman presented the keynote paper at the session, in which he said the Saidpur Rail Factory was reeling under a number of problems, including lack of manpower, raw materials, modern equipment, and adequate budget allocation.
The SEM and the WBB Trust prepared the keynote paper jointly, after visiting the factory on March 13.

National Human Rights Commission chairman Mizanur Rahman said politicians should improve their attitudes and activities significantly for developing the railway sector. ‘If they don’t change the way they are acting now, development of the railways will never be achieved. The recent incidents of ransacking and vandalism of the Bangladesh Railway property proved politicians did not care for the railway sector.  Due to the recent spate of violence, railway is no more a cost effective, environment friendly, and safe transport system in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Law Commission chairman M Shah Alam said the government should emphasise eradication of corruption in railway sector.

Bangladesh Institute of Planners general secretary Khandakar M Ansar Hossain said lack of political goodwill, budget allocation, and immediate action to address different railway problems had been gradually eroding this sector’s importance.

Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies finance secretary Kabir Hossain said the government should recruit manpower for the railways immediately, ensuring transparency in the appointment process.

Save the Environment Movement (SEM) secretary Mohammad Abdus Shobhan said in 1991 the most skilled officials and employees had left the BR through the so-called golden handshake process. ‘It was when the scheme to ruin the railway sector began,’ he added.

Among others,  WBBT director Syed Mahbubul Alam, Railway Sramik Union president Dewan Mohammad Ali, Nagorik Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad president Hafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Railway Sramik Jote president Dijendra Nath Singha, Bangladesh Railway Sramik League general secretary Rejwanur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan member MA Hye, and Railway Running Staff and Workers-Employees’ Association president Mohammad Mujibur Rahman also took part in the session.