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Schedule disaster of train


Published : 13 Dec 2019 08:53 PM | Updated : 02 Sep 2020 04:10 AM

Schedule disaster is plaguing the Railway due to Introduction of more train and manpower crisis. Rail Minister Nurul Islam Sujon made this remark while speaking at the 20th anniversary of ‘North Bengal Journalist Forum’ at the national press club in the capital on Friday.
The minister said, “Earlier, 11 trains operated daily. Now, about 21 trains are operating on a daily basis. But, the number of tracks going in and out did not increase. Only one rail line has to be used from Tongi to Ishwardi. Other trains also operate there. This is the reason behind schedule disaster of the Northern trains. We are trying to solve the problem as per our ability.”

About the manpower crisis the minister said, “There are about 104 railway stations have been closed due to manpower crisis. The manpower was about 70,000 in the seventies. Whereas, the present manpower is only 27,000. Moreover, 4 to 5 thousand labours used to work in our factories whereas we make passenger carrying coach and wagon. Now the number has decreased to only 1,100 to 1,200.” He said broad gauge and dual gauge lines are being extended along various important zones from Dhaka to eliminate the critical situation.

The minister further said, “After the independence of the country, the rail communication had been establish across the state by repairing different bridges including Hardinge bridge, voirob bridge and Tista bridge. But, after the assassination of Bangabandhu, the government that gained power did not pay attention to improve the condition of the railway. They increased the dependency on highway.”

“In 2011, the incumbent government created separate ministry for the railway. We have taken various projects to improve railway. We will make four lanes from Kamalapur to Tongi, Tongi to Joydevpur will have 2 lanes, Akhaura to Laksam will be double lined and it will be double lane to Chittagong. The Bangabandhu Bridge will be the new double line Rail Bridge. The Prime Minister will inaugurate its foundation stone any day next March. The tender process is already done.