United News of Bangladesh

Nearly four years have passed since train services were suspended on the 34-kilometre Chhatak-Sylhet railway line and hopes of a quick return to normalcy remain dim. Locals, commuters and traders say their frustration is mounting as renovation work drags on at what they call a ‘snail’s pace’. The railway line, which was first closed during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, suffered catastrophic damage in the devastating floods of 2022. Floodwaters washed away large sections of track and damaged sleepers, halting all traffic along one of Sylhet division’s most vital transport routes. Stations along the line were abandoned, and businesses in industrial hubs like Chhatak bore the brunt. Transforming Connectivity: Khulna-Dhaka train service via Padma Bridge takes off “Chhatak relied heavily on this railway for transporting construction materials like sand, stone, and cement. The suspension has disrupted trade and commerce badly. We were pleased when renovation work finally began, but now we’re worried about the slow pace. At this rate, it may take years,” said Rabiul Islam, a local businessman. After years of uncertainty, restoration finally resumed in February this year under a Tk 230-crore project. The initiative not only aims to repair the damaged tracks but also modernise stations and upgrade passenger facilities. The Dhaka-based contracting firm, Mir Akhtar Hossain Limited, has been tasked with completing the project by mid-2026. Officials insist progress is ‘satisfactory’ despite minor disruptions from seasonal rainfall. “Rain has slightly delayed construction, though the pace is satisfactory,” said one company official. Bangladesh Railway authorities echo that confidence. “The contractor has been ordered to complete the work within the scheduled period. Progress is satisfactory and trains will soon resume on this route,” said Ahsan Habib, executive engineer of Bangladesh Railway (Chhatak Bazar-Sunamganj). Still, frustration simmers on the ground. Locals argue that the work appears sluggish and fear deadlines will be missed. Traders, in particular, say prolonged suspension of train services has eroded livelihoods. Much awaited train service to begin on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge Tuesday “Chhatak’s businesses suffered heavily after the floods damaged the railway. The line is vital for us. We just hope the work ends in due time and services resume,” said local resident Akhtar Hossain. District authorities, meanwhile, are trying to reassure the public. Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Ilias Mia stressed the importance of both speed and quality. “We want the work completed on time without compromising quality, as railway repairs are not frequently undertaken. We will closely monitor the project,” he said. Next year will prove crucial. If the project keeps to its schedule, trains could return to the tracks by mid-2026, according to locals.

The Railways Ministry has formed a high-powered committee to review the draft specifications prepared for the procurement of 30 metre-gauge locomotives for Bangladesh Railway. Headed by Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and the Ministry of Railways, the committee has been asked to submit the report within the next 15 working days. The other members of the committee are: Director General of Bangladesh Railway, the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) and a professor from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet). Additional Director General (Rolling Stock) of Bangladesh Railway has been appointed as the member secretary of the committee. The committee also has the authority to co-opt additional members as required, according to an official notification. Bangladesh Railway urges people’s cooperation to prevent accidents The procurement process for the 30 metre-gauge locomotives is currently underway under the "Conversion of Chattogram-Dohazari Meter-Gauge Railway Line into Dual-Gauge" project, being implemented by Bangladesh Railway. Draft specifications for the procurement have already been prepared by the railway authority. The Railways Ministry noted that various criticisms and negative discussions have surfaced on social media regarding the draft specifications. In response and to ensure a transparent and competitive tender process, the ministry has tasked the newly formed committee with thoroughly reviewing the draft specifications and submitting a comprehensive report. The committee will evaluate the performance, modern technology, fuel efficiency, availability of spare parts, international compatibility and suitability of the proposed locomotives and components for Bangladesh’s environment.

The government has taken up a Tk 1,791.66 crore development project to renovate and maintain railway tracks  in the eastern zone of Bangladesh Railway in a bid to improve safety, expand capacity and enhance overall passengers and freight services. The project, titled “Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Railway Tracks in the Eastern Region of Bangladesh Railway”, will be fully funded by the government (GoB) and implemented over four years—from July 2025 to June 2029—by Bangladesh Railway, according to a project document. According to the document, the main objective of this development project are development and capacity enhancement of the existing rail communication up to Chittagong, Noakhali, Mymensingh and Jamuna Bridge Railways, increase the quality of services and increase the capacity of goods transportation and enhancing revenue income of the Bangladesh Railway. The eastern zone of Bangladesh Railway comprises around 1,503.61 km of tracks with the Dhaka-Chattogram main line and the Laksam-Chandpur and Laksam-Noakhali sections serving as vital corridors for economic and social development. Govt granting India corridor by allowing to set up railway tracks: Rizvi In addition to connecting Dhaka with Mymensingh, Sylhet, and the Jamuna Bridge Eastern side, the eastern rail network plays a key role in regional connectivity. The project document said that regular maintenance, such as inspections, slack removal, track alignment, and the replacement of worn-out components, is essential to ensure safe train operations. Seasonal overhauls and periodic renewal of rails, sleepers, and ballast are also carried out, particularly during the dry season. However, officials said long-standing manpower shortages have hindered proper implementation of these maintenance tasks. The project is expected to boost the railway's operational capacity and service standards by facilitating major upgrades including the replacement of worn rails, sleepers, and fittings, filling ballast deficiencies, and introducing mechanised tamping and maintenance systems. Although several new rail links have been developed in the eastern region in recent years many existing lines remain old and dilapidated. Due to high costs, regular maintenance of these lines has not been feasible under the current revenue budget, officials said. This has led to deteriorating track conditions prompting the need for comprehensive upgrades under a dedicated development initiative. High demand, higher losses: Bangladesh Railway's financial strain deepens According to the Planning Commission, the project will improve approximately 1,500 kilometers of track infrastructure on key routes linking Dhaka with Chattogram, Noakhali, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and the eastern end of the Jamuna Bridge. Maintenance gangs are currently deployed across the eastern zone to oversee operations and ensure track security. In critical situations, nighttime patrols are also arranged. The project document recommends installing CCTV surveillance under the Signal and Telecom Department for enhanced security to be funded under the revenue budget. A feasibility study conducted by the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) found the project to be both financially and economically viable.

Bangladesh Railway Hospitals will soon be accessible to the general public, Railways Adviser Fouzul Kabir announced on Monday, marking a shift from their previous use exclusively for railway staff and their families. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Railway Ministry and Health Ministry at the secretariat. The Secretary of the Health Services Division and the Director General of Bangladesh Railway signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides. Save the Children shares experiences in improving healthcare for first-time parents Following infrastructure and healthcare service upgrades, the public will have access to medical services at 10 railway hospitals nationwide and a team from the Health Ministry will inspect the railway hospitals next week to assess the required infrastructural improvements and submit a report in this regard. Besides, necessary steps will be taken for infrastructural development based on the report given by the Health Ministry, said Adviser Fouzul Kabir. Meanwhile, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum said that it is not feasible to immediately open the railway hospitals to the public. “However, efforts will be made to provide medical services to the public as quickly as possible,” she said, adding the Health Ministry will formulate a policy in this regard. She said the country faces a shortage of 8,000 doctors and 2,000 doctors will be recruited through a special BCS examination by September 15. Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum stated that it is not possible to open the railway hospitals to the public immediately. Every effort will be made to provide medical services to the public as soon as possible, and the Ministry of Health will formulate a policy regarding this matter. The adviser also mentioned that there is currently a shortage of 8,000 doctors in the country. Some 2,000 doctors will be recruited through a special BCS exam by September 15, she added. There are 10 railway hospitals across the country, with a total of beds 431. Until now, these hospitals were reserved for railway officers and employees. The health adviser mentioned that both short- and long-term plans will be formulated to ensure public access to treatment alongside railway officials and the general public.  

Rail communication of Dhaka with the northern parts of the country remained suspended on Sunday afternoon as four wheels of a coach of a train derailed on Dhaka-Tangail rail route in Salna area of Gazipur district. Md Nadiruzzaman, in-charge of Joydebpur Railway Police Station, said four wheels of a bogie of the Dhaka-bound ‘Chilahati Express’ train from Nilphamari, veered off the tracks around 2:30 pm at Salna, disrupting train communication of Dhaka with northern parts of the country. However, no casualty was reported. The passengers of the train were seen getting off and going to their destinations in different vehicles using alternative routes. Abul Khayer, station master of Joydebpur Railway Junction, said the train movement through the northern parts of the country via Jamuna Bridge remained suspended following the incident.  

Bangladesh Railway authorities and the Railways Ministry have urged  passengers to purchase tickets only through the official app (Rail Service) or directly from railway counters to avoid potential fraud and harassment during Eid journeys. For the Eid journey, which spans from March 24 to March 30, a maximum of four tickets can be purchased at a time using a single ID, with the names of travel companions also included, said a press release of the Railways Ministry. Advance sale of Eid-ul-Fitr train tickets starts March 14 Similarly, for the return journey, which runs from April 3 to April 3, the same rule applies. Passengers who purchase tickets from unauthorised sources will be at risk of being defrauded, said the release. In line with Bangladesh Railway's rules, the person whose ID is used for purchasing tickets must travel with the corresponding mobile phone and a valid ID card containing a photo of the ID holder. Only the ID holder and their listed companions may travel using the tickets. “Any attempt to travel using a ticket purchased under someone else’s name will result in legal action according to Bangladesh Railway's regulations, it added. Bangladesh’s Trains: Lifeline for millions, yet stuck by challenges Passengers who face fraudulent activities or black-market operators selling tickets under false IDs were urged to report the incident to law enforcement or inform Bangladesh Railway officials. They can also seek assistance from the Railway Police (RNP) and Government Railway Police (GRP) or lodge a complaint via Bangladesh Railway’s hotline at 131. The identity of complainants will be kept confidential, the release added.

Commuter trains will run on short distances from tomorrow (July 25, 2024), Additional Director General of Bangladesh Railway Md Arifuzzaman said on Wednesday. “One or two commuter trains will operate from tomorrow on short distance routes. It will take time to resume operation of inter-city trains once the current situation improves,” he told UNB. Besides, network disruption also causes delay of train services as tickets are available online, he added. Read more: AP report: Bangladesh moves back to normalcy after violent clashes that killed nearly 200 people Under the circumstances, commuter trains will operate on the Dhaka-Narayanganj and Ishwardi routes while the authorities will try their level best to resume commuter trains on Dhaka-Joydebpur route, he said. The Burimari commuter train will operate from Lalmonirhat district, said the additional DG. He also said that freight trains or oil-carrying trains were operating since Monday.

Starting in July, residents of Chuadanga district will have direct train access to Dhaka, reducing travel time to just five hours. The Bangladesh Railway is resuming direct rail service on the Dhaka-Darshana route, this time via the Padma Bridge, a move anticipated to greatly benefit commuters. A media release from the Railway’s Western region announced that a pair of trains will run on this route. The first train will depart Darshana for Dhaka around 7 am, arriving at noon. It will then leave Dhaka at 1 pm, reaching Darshana by 4 pm. The second train will operate from 4:30 pm to 9:40 pm and from 11:55 pm to 5 am the following morning. In addition, three trains—Chitra, Benapole, and Sundarban Express—will operate from Jashore's Rupdia or Padmabila to Dhaka via Kushtia, Mobarakganj, and Kotchandpur through the Padma Bridge. Passengers disembarking from moving trains raises safety concerns Currently, Bangladesh Railway operates local, mail, commuter, and intercity trains. Fares range from Tk 0.39 per km for local trains to Tk 1.95 per km for air-conditioned intercity trains. Abdullah Al Mamun, a Dhaka-bound passenger at Chuadanga Rail Station, expressed optimism: “The train line is divided into two parts. If these two trains start, we will benefit from the passenger-tickets, and hopefully, we will get tickets on time. Besides, it will take less time to go to Dhaka.”

The sale of advance train tickets for Eid holidaymakers will start online from June 2. The commuters have to purchase their tickets online and though mobile apps, said Director General of Bangladesh Railway Sardar Sahadat Ali while speaking at a press briefing held at the conference room of the Rail Bhaban over railways’ preparation on the occasion of Eid on Tuesday. The ticket for June 12 will be available on June 2, for June 13 on June 3, June 14 on June 4 and the tickets for June 15 and 16 will be available on June 5 and June 6 respectively. Read more: How to Buy Plane, Bus, and Train Tickets Online in Bangladesh Those sale of tickets will start at 8 am for western region and at 2 pm for the eastern region of the country, he said. Railway Minister Zillul Hakim, deputy secretary Toufique Imam and Additional Director General of Bangladesh Railway Md Arifuzzaman were present there.

Bangladesh Railways has initiated a comprehensive modernisation of its signal system, with the aim to transition entirely to broad gauge tracks by 2050. This initiative is expected to eliminate collisions and enhance overall safety. In an exclusive interview with UNB, Sardar Shahadat Ali, Director General of Bangladesh Railway, elaborated on the ongoing and future projects. “We have taken steps to modernise the signal system progressively across all areas. Though the traditional lamp signals are old, they are time-tested; implementing a digital system is a costly affair,” Ali stated. The Bangladesh Railway DG acknowledged the recent increase in train collisions, attributing them to faulty signal systems. “Until 2030, we will procure locomotives for meter gauge, but after that, we will cease their acquisition. By 2050, the complete transition to broad gauge will prevent such collisions,” he assured. Discussing the current locomotive scenario, Ali mentioned that the existing broad gauge locomotives sufficiently meet demand. “We plan to bring in 46 more locomotives for broad gauge and 50 for meter gauge. Additionally, the Chattogram-Dohazari project includes the acquisition of 30 more locomotives. However, we are facing a slight shortage of meter gauge locomotives.” Passengers disembarking from moving trains raises safety concerns Highlighting the advancements, Ali pointed out, “A tender for the digital signal system from Abdullahpur to Parbatipur has been issued and is under evaluation. The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project will see a digital system operational by June. Areas like Tongi, Joydebpur, Dinajpur, and the eastern and western sides of the Bangabandhu Bridge, will transition to an interlocking system once the ongoing non-interlocking projects are completed.” Ali also touched upon the challenges of maintaining meter gauge locomotives, which involve transporting them over the Jamuna Bridge to the central locomotive workshop that is facing workforce shortages. “We expect to resolve these issues by 2030 with the arrival of new locomotives,” he noted. Addressing locomotive defects, the railway DG said, “We have identified some issues with the 3000 series locomotives. Our service engineers are addressing these, and during the warranty period, we aim to rectify all identified problems.” Regarding the lack of skilled personnel, he said, “It is not possible to immediately hire skilled personnel. First, we need to recruit people and then train them to become skilled and proficient. As employees retire, new ones will be hired and trained to become proficient – this will be a continuous process.” Burimari Express derails in Pabna, train service between Dhaka and north disrupted To improve railway services, Ali stated, “We are focusing on timely train departures and arrivals, cleanliness, and food quality. There are no longer ticket black markets, and tickets can be easily purchased online or at stations. Despite high demand, train journeys remain comfortable.” When asked about expanding train connectivity, he confirmed, “The government is committed to improving train communication across the country. We are increasing the number of trains and coaches as needed, and new locomotives will be purchased to meet future demands.”