Ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Railway (East) has undertaken extensive preparations to ensure safe, comfortable, and punctual train journeys for homebound passengers. The initiative focuses on improving passenger services, maintaining discipline in train operations, enhancing accountability among railway officials and staff, and ensuring transparency across overall railway activities.
A review meeting was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Railway East zone building conference room in CRB of Chattogram.
The meeting was presided by General Manager of Bangladesh Railway Eastern Zone, Md. Subaktagin.
Among those present were President of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Rail Sramik Dal Rafiqul Islam, General Secretary Advocate M.R. Manju, and other central leaders of the organization. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Chattogram Mostafizur Rahman, Chief Engineer (East) Tanvirul Islam, Chief Mechanical Engineer Md. Shafikur Rahman, Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md. Harunur Rashid, along with divisional heads and senior railway officials from different departments, also attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that special monitoring cells would be formed on important railway routes in the Eastern Zone during the Eid travel period. Control offices, loco masters, guards, station masters, and all relevant departments were instructed to remain on maximum alert to maintain train schedules.
At the same time, special attention will be given to the maintenance of train engines, coaches, braking systems, signaling systems, and railway tracks. Railway authorities also stated that adequate spare parts, repair equipment, and technical support would be kept ready to quickly resolve any potential faults before Eid.
Discussions were also held regarding additional security measures at railway stations and inside trains to ensure passenger safety. Authorities emphasized preventing ticket black marketing and passenger harassment through the operation of mobile monitoring teams.
General Manager Md. Subaktagin said, “Millions of people will travel home by train during Eid. The Eastern Zone Railway is working with the highest priority to ensure their journey remains safe, comfortable, and uninterrupted. Any negligence or irresponsibility will not be tolerated.”
He further added, “Every railway department must work in coordination. Passenger service will remain our top priority. Field-level officials and employees must play a more active role in ensuring punctuality, cleanliness, and safety.”
The meeting also reviewed the progress of implementing various decisions taken during bilateral discussions with the Ministry and the Director General’s office. Railway labor representatives demanded participation of workers and trade unions in major railway decision-making processes.
Importance was placed on the quick amendment of the Railway Recruitment Rules-2020, recruitment in long-vacant positions, resolving administrative complications through promotions, and retaining the 40 percent railway descendants’ quota.
Demands were also raised for the regularization of project-based and temporary employees according to previous policies. Discussions included reinstating job provisions for family members of railway employees who die while in service, implementing decisions regarding renaming several old railway positions, and introducing “quota-free” facilities on all trains.
The deteriorating infrastructure conditions of railway colonies were also highlighted during the meeting. Urgent renovation demands were raised regarding water shortages, electricity problems, poor drainage systems, and damaged roads in CRB Hospital Colony, Tigerpass Colony, Ambagan, Segunbagan, Wireless, Canteen Gate, and Bandar Port Colony areas.
Participants also stressed the need to evict illegal occupiers from railway lands.
To ensure a safer working environment, the meeting emphasized introducing daycare facilities, activating safety committees, ensuring regular weekly holidays, resolving shortages of medicines and doctors at railway hospitals, and improving the quality of education at railway schools.
In order to increase railway revenue, proposals were made to simplify and ensure transparency in railway land leasing activities. Discussions were also held regarding the restructuring and updating of the management committees of railway schools, men’s stores, CCS, and cooperative credit societies.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Railway (East) General Manager Md. Subaktagin urged all concerned departments to work in a coordinated manner ahead of Eid travel.
He said, “Public confidence in the railway must be strengthened further. Everyone must work with sincerity and professionalism to ensure safe and comfortable services for passengers.”
