About 200 new coaches joining the railway fleet, one new train to start initially: DG Afzal Hossain
About 200 new coaches are joining the Bangladesh Railway fleet in phases. The coaches will be used to launch new trains as well as replace old and dilapidated ones, Railway Director General Afzal Hossain has said.
He disclosed the information to journalists on Friday (30 October) at noon after inspecting Panchagarh railway station.
The director general said there is a plan to initially launch one new train with a portion of the new coaches that have already arrived in the country. Later, as more coaches arrive, new trains will be launched and old coaches replaced, considering passenger demand and need.
He said the facilities for loading and unloading goods and passenger demand at various railway stations are being observed on the ground. At stations where passenger and transport demand is high, initiatives will be taken as needed to expand rail lines, increase loop lines and raise the number of coaches on trains.
On the possibility of a direct train from Panchagarh to Cox's Bazar, the director general said it is a matter of long-term planning. As not all rail lines in the country have yet been converted to broad gauge, a final decision on this is not possible for now. Alongside converting the lines to broad gauge, it will also have to be checked whether enough passengers will be found on this long route.
On extending the railway to the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh, he said regional connectivity requires a rail connection on the Indian side as well. Building a rail line only on the Bangladesh side will not bring the expected regional connectivity benefits. The project can be taken up only if both countries agree.
Panchagarh railway station master Zahid Hasan, railway officials and employees of various levels, political leaders and activists, and local people were present during the inspection.
