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POST TIME: 4 March, 2017 00:00 00 AM
Developing railway

Developing railway

It is good to know, from the Railway Minister Mujibul Haque, that at least 60 closed rail stations will be made operative soon. He also informed that new rail lines are being laid on different routes also. From the railway minister who was present at the signing of an agreement to appoint consultants for the 'Bangabandhu Setu Rail Sangjog' in the capital, we also came to know that the government has taken up a project to construct rail lines from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar also.  
To improve the communication system of Bangladesh, there is no alternative to improving the country’s railway. The demand of railway in the country is so huge, among all classes of people, that this sector at least should have been a profitable concern for the government. But due to neglect, mismanagement, corruption and theft of railway assets, Bangladesh railway could not become, as yet, modern and developed. Railway coverage has shrunk with closing down of many railway stations, instead of expansion.
The same slow trains run between destinations for decades, and as there is hardly any double lines in the country, journey through trains consume much more time of the passengers. The locomotives and coaches for the trains in most cases show poverty and neglect to the sector. Several years ago, train fair was doubled followed by another increase in ticket price. At that time, from the railway authorities it was said that passengers would get improved services from rail journey. But it was not to be so. In fact, in many cases passengers witnessed the otherwise.
When passengers are routinely having sour experience in trains, reopening of 60 closed stations anytime soon is indeed a good piece of news and it is expected that the railway authorities would take up the case of realizing the potentials of railway very seriously. In Bangladesh, journey through buses—and launches also—often turns out to become killing traps: everyday lives perish on the road. In this bleak scenario, the rather safe journey through trains offers hope for many. It is because of this safety, many still prefer trains despite the fact that they have certain setbacks.   
If the government invests money in the railway for modernizing and developing the sector with a vision and manages the whole affair sincerely and honestly, this is a sector that has every potential to give government some profit, and of this there is no doubt. There are many in the government who are in the transport business, and it is alleged they do not want improvement of the railway. It is time to prove this allegation wrong.