United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Railway, a popular mode of transport known for its low fares and comfort over long distances, remains mired in heavy financial losses, prompting questions about its operational efficiency. Railway sources said around 350 trains, including intercity, local and freight services, operate every day across the country, carrying an average of 80 to 90 million passengers annually. In the 2023–24 fiscal year, Bangladesh Railway recorded losses of over Tk 1,400 crore. Weak management, poor revenue collection, outdated freight operations, and slow modernisation efforts have been identified as the key reasons behind the losses. Passenger transport remains the main focus of the railway’s operations, with most revenue generated from ticket sales. Experts believe that limited investment in freight transport, which is considered commercially more profitable, has held back the organisation’s earnings. At Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka, Masud, a businessman from Brahmanbaria, shared his experience. He finds train travel more comfortable than buses for long distances but noted difficulties in getting tickets and frequent delays in service. Railway officials, requesting anonymity, said each ticket sold includes a subsidy of around 40 to 50 percent. Staff shortages, outdated engines and coaches and weak signaling systems also limit operational capacity. Dhaka eyes $500m budgetary support, $250m for railways from Tokyo: Shafiqul Alam Train fares have remained unchanged since 2016, although fuel prices have increased multiple times. Operational costs have grown significantly, driven by higher fuel expenses and increased administrative costs following the 2015 pay scale revision. The number of trains between major routes such as Dhaka–Chattogram and Dhaka–Khulna via the Padma Bridge could be increased in response to passenger demand. Expanding services on these routes would lead to higher maintenance costs. Countries like India, China, and those in Europe have boosted railway revenues through expanded freight services. Analysts say similar steps in Bangladesh could reduce operational losses and improve overall financial health. Stakeholders are calling for long-term planning and efficient management to transform the railway into a sustainable and financially sound organisation while continuing to serve the public. Mohammed Shahid Miah, president of the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways, said poor planning is a major reason the railway has yet to turn a profit. He pointed out that popular routes such as Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Jamalpur do not have enough trains, while some less-used routes are overserved. This imbalance leads to higher costs without corresponding revenue. Ashis Kumar Dey, president of the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum, said that insufficient cargo transport is another major factor contributing to financial losses. He identified operational weaknesses as a barrier to achieving revenue targets. Ashis Kumar recommended adding more coaches to intercity trains departing from Dhaka on Thursdays and Fridays, and returning on Saturdays and Sundays, to increase passenger volume and income. A senior railway official said retirement benefits are a major financial burden. These costs are paid directly from the operational budget, unlike other government departments where pensions are covered by a separate welfare fund. Japan to provide $1.063 billion for budget support, railways In the 2023–24 fiscal year, the railway spent about Tk 946 crore on retirement benefits, which increased to nearly Tk 1,000 crore in the 2024–25 fiscal year. According to the same official, the railway earned Tk 1,925 crore in revenue during FY 2023–24. This figure dropped to around Tk 1,800 crore in FY 2024–25, mainly due to disruptions during the anti-discrimination movement in July and August last year, when train operations were limited for around six weeks. Manpower shortage also affects the railway's performance. Of the approved 47,000 posts, only about 23,000 are currently filled. Increasing manpower would improve service quality and allow expansion to more destinations, potentially attracting more passengers and increasing revenue. Bangladesh Railway Director General Afzal Hossain said rising operational and maintenance costs, along with unchanged fares, make subsidies necessary. Freight transport remains a profitable area, though its volume has declined, he said. British era-Railways Act to be updated He added that as a service-oriented institution, the railway prioritises the public interest, ensuring convenient and comfortable journeys rather than focusing solely on profit.

The formal Eid journey in trains from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station to different parts of the country started on Monday morning amid tight security. Those booked tickets for March 24-journey on March 14 travelled to their destinations, with passengers allowed to enter the main platform of the station after going through a three-layer checking procedure, said Kamalapur station manager Md Shahadat Hossain. Md Asad, a passenger of Chattogram-bound Subrana Express, said he along with wife and children was travelling from Dhaka smoothly amid the tight security. He said though he faced a little bit of problems in managing online tickets, but it was later done successfully. Eid journey was safe this time due to use of speed guns: Bangladesh Police Borhan Uddin, a student, travelling to Mymensingh in Jamuna Express said he would go home by bus if the train ticket had not been managed, appreciating the strict security measure at the station.  

Railway Affairs Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has urged railway running staff to call off their strike, assuring them that discussions with the Finance Division are ongoing to address their demands. “Demands are understandable, but holding passengers hostage by halting train services is regrettable,” he said while talking to reporters at Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital on Tuesday morning. Train communications halt nationwide after talks on extra benefits fail Fouzul Kabir said that the Railway Ministry does not have the authority to resolve the issue independently. “The matter lies with the Finance Division, and discussions are in progress. We are confident a resolution will be reached soon.” The strike, initiated by railway running staff from 12 PM on Monday (Jan 27), has paralysed train operations nationwide. Karwan Bazar Railway: The go-to place for illegal drugs in Dhaka On Tuesday morning, Kamalapur Railway Station demonstrated an unusual scene of silence, with the normally bustling ticket counters eerily quiet. Passengers, many unaware of the strike, arrived at the station only to face immense difficulties. Families travelling to destinations such as Mymensingh, Netrokona, Rajshahi and Cox’s Bazar were left stranded in the cold winter morning. Bent rail tracks: ‘Banalata Express’ avoids accident Several travellers expressed their frustration, highlighting the lack of prior communication about the disruption. “We had no idea the trains wouldn’t run. Now we are stuck here with no alternative arrangements,” one passenger lamented.

A six-member committee will investigate the derailment of the Panchagarh-bound Panchagarh Express near Kamalapur Railway Station in the small hours on Friday. The Ministry of Railways has formed a committee with the Additional Secretary of the Planning Division. Mr. Rafiqul Islam as convener while Senior Assistant Secretary of the Land Branch, will act as the member secretary. Other members of the committee include the Additional Director General of Railway Services at Bangladesh Railways, the Chief Engineer (West) of Bangladesh Railways in Rajshahi, the Deputy Inspector General of Railway Police, and a representative from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Train communication with Dhaka restored following derailment The committee has been asked to submit the report within seven days. The incident, occurring around 12:30 am on Friday in the outer signal area of Kamalapur Railway Station station, led to widespread delays, impacting train schedules from Dhaka on Friday morning. The derailment brought train operations on both eastern and western routes to a standstill, leaving trains stranded at multiple stations, including Joydebpur, Pubail, and Tongi in Gazipur; Jinaradi and Ghorashal in Narsingdi; and Dhaka Airport, Tejgaon, and Cantonment stations. The result was a ripple effect of delays, with several trains departing 5-7 hours behind schedule.

The extended holidays for Eid-ul-Azha have come to an end, and the residents of the capital are starting to return to rejoin work. Having spent the holidays with loved ones, people have begun streaming back into Dhaka, marking the end of a brief period of tranquility in the bustling metropolis. From early morning today, Kamalapur Railway Station witnessed a significant crowd as city dwellers arrived back from their hometowns. Around ten million people had left Dhaka to celebrate Eid with their families, dramatically altering the usual busy atmosphere of the city. Read more: Eid journey was safe this time due to use of speed guns: Bangladesh Police Families, carrying luggage and gifts from their hometowns, were seen disembarking from trains and hailing rickshaws and CNG-run auto rickshaws to reach their destinations.

The new ticketing system for inter-city rail services has started today (March 01, 2023) from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station.   “We introduced the new ticketing system for passengers to address complaints regarding ticketing,” Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan said. He said this while handing over POS (point of sale) machines that will facilitate collecting fares through national identity (NID) card verification.   “We took this initiative to stop black marketing, and to enable customers to purchase tickets without any complication,” he said. Also Read: 3 new services in railway ticketing management to be launched from March 1: Minister This new system will also enable commuters to cancel their purchase without coming to the station. Commuters will be able to cancel a purchase online from now on. The minister also said they will introduce more facilities gradually. “Passengers won’t be allowed to purchase tickets without registering,” he added. The new ticketing system will be introduced in local trains gradually. Through this, legal steps will be taken against those who travel using another person’s ticket, he said, adding that the government can collect the fare directly. Read More: 3 new services in railway ticketing management to be launched from March 1: Minister A total of 100 POS machines were handed over today.

Social distancing went for a toss as thousands of people thronged Kamalapur Railway station on Tuesday to buy train tickets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha amid an uptrend of Covid infections in Bangladesh. People, most of them without masks, were seen waiting in long queues in front of ticket counters at Kamalapur Railway station as only four days left before Eid. Bangladesh Railway started selling advanced tickets from July 1 as the country is going to celebrate the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims on July 10. Read: Ensure wearing masks, social distance, health guidelines amid Covid surge in world: NTAC However, as the wait turned longer by hours, the gaps between the lines narrowed to invisible as holidaymakers went anxious whether they would get their desired ticket or not. The country registered 12 Covid-linked deaths on Monday which is highest in the last four months along with 2,285 fresh infections, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The country last reported 13 Covid-linked deaths with 368 cases while the daily positivity rate was at 2.11 per cent on March 5 this year. The daily positivity now stands at 16.51 per cent following a rising trend of cases.

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) has launched an ATM Booth at Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital. Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan inaugurated the booth Saturday. Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and chief executive officer of IBBL, and Dhirendra Nath Mazumder, director general of Bangladesh Railway, were also present, according to a media statement. Read: AIBL gets top sustainable bank recognition

A fire that broke out in a container at Kamalapur Railway Station on Saturday afternoon  has been brought under control. The fire started around 3:40 pm  and five fire fighting units managed to bring the flames under control around 6:30 pm, said Md Shahjahan Shikdar, deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence. Also read: Fire at spinning mills in N'ganj, Narsingdhi “The origin of the fire and extent of damages from it could not be ascertained yet,” said Md Shahjahan Shikdar. Fortunately, no causalities were reported. Also read: 7 die in India building fire

An official of the High Court was crushed to death under a train at Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital on Thursday. The victim was identified as Md Tarikuzzaman Bakul, 45, hailing from Rohanpur village in Gomastapur Upazila of Chapainawabganj district. Mohammad Shahjahan, a sub-inspector of Kamalapur Railway Police Station, said Tarikuzzaman fell on the rail track as he was absentminded and crushed under the wheels of Mohanganj-bound train around 1:20pm. The body was sent to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for autopsy, he added.