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Lockdown:BR revenue up for transporting goods


Published : 27 Apr 2021 08:52 PM

The railway authorities set a new precedent in the ongoing lockdown by delivering goods to the Kamalapur ICD (Inland Container Depot) in Dhaka. Due to the ongoing lockdown, the revenue of the railways has increased along with the transportation of containers and goods on the port route centered on Ramadan and Eid.

According to railway sources, in the first 10 days of April this year, the amount of container transport from Chattogramport was 18,142 tons. In contrast, the income is about 1 crore 84 lakh 62 thousand Taka. Besides, trains carrying other goods (oil, wheat, rice and other commodities) from CGPY are running towards Sylhet, Srimangal, Tejgaon, Dhaka Cantonment, Bogra, Rangpur. In the first 10 days of April this year, the volume of goods transported in this sector was about 34,815 tons. In contrast, the railway authorities earned about Tk 3 crore 22 lakh 3 thousand.

In the last ten days of March this year, the volume of container transport from Chattogram port was about 13,610 tons. The revenue of the railway is about Tk 1 crore 87 lakh 11 thousand. Moreover, in the last ten days of March, about 23,859 tons of other goods (oil, wheat, rice and other commodities) were transported from CGPY. In contrast, the railway authorities earned about Tk 2 crore 28 lakh 87 thousand.

First ten days of April last year, the amount of container transport from Chattogram port to Dhaka by train was about 1,160 tons. Revenue of railway was about Tk 11 lakh 73 thousand.

Railway officials say container transport has been on the rise since late March, centering on Eid and Ramadan. Then in the first ten days of April, the railway authorities made a record amount of revenue. This would have been an example. However, speaking to railway officials, it was learned that the amount of container transport on the train has started declining since mid-April. This has decreased a lot in the last one week.

Chattogram Railway Divisional Commercial Officer Ansar Ali said, ‘Some containers were deposited. Passenger trains are closed at this lockdown. So we are getting enough engines to operate the goods train. We have man power. I am able to transport containers and other goods to the port without any hindrance. '

According to railway officials, the passenger train service has been suspended since April 5 this year due to the lockdown. Ramadan started from last 14th April. There is an increased demand for almost everything in the market centered on Ramadan and Eid. Therefore, considering the overall situation in Corona at this time, the traders think that the transportation of goods by train is safe and affordable.

Although the reason has been identified by the railway officials. Officials say traders are not interested in transporting goods by train from the port at normal times due to time constraints. Where it used to take 18 to 22 hours to reach Dhaka from CGPY, the ongoing lockdown takes 10 hours at the same distance.

Chief Commercial Officer of Eastern Railway Nazmul Islam said, "Everything is getting easier as the passenger trains are closed at Lockdown, which means we are getting what we need for transporting goods by train." Now there is no engine crisis. So the income has been quite good. That's more than the current income."

Chattogram Divisional Comm­ercial Officer of Railways Snehashish Gupta said, "There is no engine crisis. The engine is running well. We are getting the necessary support to run the train. Where it used to take 18 to 22 hours to go to Dhaka, now it is reaching in 10 hours. '