Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujon has said that initiatives have been taken to build the railways in a new form with new speed. Various initiatives have been taken to provide a modern, up-to-date and improved rail transport system, he added.
The railway minister said this while laying the foundation stone of a modern public toilet, a joint venture of Water Aid Bangladesh Limited and Bangladesh Railway, at Dhaka Kamalapur Railway Station on Sunday.
In his speech, the minister said that the event is organized in the light of how we want to see the railways in future and at what stage we want to take the railway services.
He said, “This public toilet is not an ordinary one and consists of all modern facilities. There will be separate entrances and rooms for men and women and the toilets will be congenial to children and physically challenged people.”
The minister said 52 stations across the country are being renovated and modernized on the occasion of Mujib centenary. The design of this modern toilet will be used in these stations. Also, with the help of Water Aid, Bangladesh Railway will build two more modern public toilets at Sirajul Islam Railway Station, Panchagarh and Ishwardi Railway Station, similar to Kamalapur’s.
Regarding the projects of the Ministry of Railways, the minister said that many projects are underway and many projects have been taken up. Old lines and bridges are being repaired. New coaches and engines are being brought. Bio toilets are being provided in the new trains so that the environment is not polluted.
Referring to several projects, he said that a new railway line from Khulna to Mongla would be launched next year. Besides, double line will be started up to Tongi-Joydevpur. He mentioned that the current condition of the railways would have been better if Covid-19 had not had any effect.
Secretary Md Selim Reza, Additional Secretary Bhuban Chandra Biswas, General Manager of Bangladesh Railway Eastern Region Md. Jahangir Hossain spoke on the occasion. Hasin Jahan, Country Director of Water Aid Bangladesh presided over the function while Dhirendra Nath Majumder, Director General of Bangladesh Railway presided over the function.