United News of Bangladesh

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has assured that the reasonable overtime demands of railway employees have been met, with other claims now under the purview of the relevant ministry. “We have addressed the logical demands of railway employees a while ago. Despite this, if they are still aggrieved, it is their matter to address,” he said on Tuesday in response to a question from reporters regarding budgetary allocations for railways. Railway Adviser urges running staff to end strike as discussions continue The adviser said if any logical requests reach the Ministry of Finance, they will not be denied. After a meeting of the Advisors' Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) , Dr Ahmed emphasised the importance of resolving issues affecting employment on humanitarian grounds. “Employees often present multiple demands. Among them were requests for overtime allowances. We have fulfilled what was feasible, granting reasonable benefits. Other claims will now be reviewed by the concerned ministry. Should any justifiable issues come to us, the Ministry of Finance will act accordingly, particularly if they involve humanitarian or employment-related concerns,” he said. When asked about past allocations and any new demands made, Dr Ahmed said, “Several organisations have similar demands. For railways, we resolved the overtime issue. However, if there are calls for additional benefits like pension gratuity, similar demands exist for other sectors as well.”

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.

Rail communication between Khulna and the rest of the country snapped after eight oil tankers of a Khulna-bound freight train derailed near Ansarbaria station in Jibannagar Upazila of Chuadanga early Wednesday . Uthli Railway's Station Master Mintu Roy said that a train carrying 32 empty tankers was heading to Khulna from Bogura on Tuesday night when the derailment occurred. “Around 1 am, near the 11-number point of the railway line close to Ansarbaria station, eight tankers derailed,” he said. Derailment in Gazipur halts rail communication with northern Bangladesh A rescue train from Ishurdi in Pabna has been working on the derailed tankers since dawn. The rescue operation is still ongoing, with the authorities striving to restore rail communication. With operations halted at Ansarbaria station, Chuadanga station Master Mizanur Rahman said, “The recovery of the derailed tankers is in progress, and train operations may resume after the rescue work is complete.” Shanto Kumar Biswas, the point man at Chuadanga station, confirmed that passenger trains traveling from Dhaka to Khulna and those heading from Khulna to Goalanda are now stuck at Chuadanga station and Mobarakganj station. Rail communication between Sylhet and rest of the country resumes after 8 hours He stated, “Midnight onward, rail communication with the entire country has been suspended.” Rescue operations began at dawn, with efforts underway to clear the tracks and resume services. “A passenger train is currently stuck at Chuadanga station. Further details will be known after the completion of the rescue operation,” he added.

Bangladesh Railway has signed an agreement with a Chinese firm to procure 580 meter-gaudge wagons, involving Tk 318.63 crore, with a view to expand its freight services across the country. Project director concerned Mohammad Mizanur Rahman and Dai Zien, vice-president of  CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC) signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides on Tuesday. Read: 3214 acres of railway land under illegal occupation: Minister Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan was present at the signing ceremony. “The government has taken various projects to establish rail communications in different parts of the country. Besides, an initiative has been taken to expand rail connectivity with the neighbouring countries,” said the Minister. The Chinese company will provide the wagons within 18-30 months of the deal, he said. Already five Bangladesh-India inter-change points out of eight have been launched and the work on the rest inter-change points is underway, he added. Read:Railways Minister seeks Russian investment in railway sector Rail communications with Mongla Port has been established and the work to inaugurate the Cox’s Bazar rail line by December next year is going on in  the full swing, said the Minister. Director General of  Bangladesh Railway Dhirendra Nath Mazumder, Railways secretary Selim Reza were, among others, present.

Passenger train services between Dhaka from rest of the country will be suspended from Tuesday midnight as a part of an attempt to isolate the capital amid a surge in the corona infections, the Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon said. However freight trains will run remain normal, the minister told UNB. He said rail communication will remain normal in areas free from lockdown. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 76 more deaths, 4,846 fresh cases Earlier in the day, authorities suspended train services on several routes following strict restrictions in some districts to stem the spread of coronavirus. According to a notice issued by the Railways Ministry, two train services in Gazipur-Turag Express and Kaliakair Commuter Train were suspended from 6 am on Tuesday for nine days. No inter-city train will stop in Gazipur during the period. Also read: Train services on several routes suspended Besides, services of Tungipara Express train on Gopalganj-Rajshahi route , Nakshikatha Express on Khulna-Rajbari route, and Rajbari Express train on Rajbari-Bhanga-Rajbari route have been suspended. All Khulna-bound passenger trains have been asked to halt operation at Jashore stoppage. The suspension of services will remain in force until June 30 or the lockdown period announced for some districts.

After a substantial amount of ticket sales money went missing from the secure cash box of a running train on the Noakhali-Laksam route, a 4-member probe body was formed by the East Zone management of Bangladesh Railways to investigate the incident.

Rail communications between Khulna and other parts of the country resumed on Sunday after being cut off for eight hours following an accident.

Bangladesh Railway is set to purchase 150 metre-gauge carriages and 20 metre-gauge electric locomotive from South Korea, aiming to develop rail communications of the country.

Mymensingh, Sept 17 (UNB) – Train communications of Mymensingh with other parts of the country remained suspended since Tuesday morning following the derailment of a train in Sadar upazila.