Experts for improved train service

Published : Sunday 10 Februry 2013

The Daily Sun:

Experts at a view exchange meeting today stressed improvement of services of Bangladesh Railway (BR) to reduce passengers’ sufferings.Though the BR has increased its fare, railway passengers still are facing various problems including insecurity, unhygienic compartments and latrines, broken windows and doors, they alleged.

“As a public mode of transport, the government has to make a comprehensive policy consulting with other departments concerned for improving railway services,” Prof Shafiullah, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka Ahsania Science and Technology University, said.

He said since independence, the railway department has been neglected, but the present government has taken development projects to improve its service.

Save the Environment Movement (SEM) and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust jointly organised the discussion titled ‘Rail Development and Our Expectation’ at CIRDAP auditorium here.

While Railways Minister Mohammad Mazibul Hoque said the Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various projects to improve train services, procure locomotives, wagons, coaches, construct new bridges, expand tracks and build double lines on different routes for increased frequency of train movement.

“Despite its resource constraint, the government wants to revive the railway’s image and ensure the desired services,” he told the view exchange as the chief guest. Referring to the government’s initiative, Director General of BR M Abu Taher said, “We want to revive the railway’s image keeping it a priority.”

He said some more commuter trains will be pressed into service on the Dhaka-Joydebpur and Dhaka-Narayaganj and other routes soon, which would help reduce the city’s nagging traffic jam.

“Twenty sets of Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) and 26 broad gauge (BG) diesel electric locomotives will be added to BR from March-April aimed at improving the flow of goods and passengers and giving better service to mass people of the country,” BR Director General said. He said the BR introduced 45 new train services across the country.

Chaired by chairman of SEM Abu Naser Khan the discussion was also addressed, among others, by Planning Secretary Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, former director general of Department of Environment Abdus Sohban, member of Public Service Commission Ekram Ahmed, general secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Khandker Ehsan Ali and Syed Mahbub Alam of WBB Trust.

Maruf Rahman presented the keynote paper in the view exchange.