New directives to overhaul Bangladesh Railway: new routes, extra coaches and station shops

The Ministry of Railways and Road Transport has issued new directives to overhaul Bangladesh Railway. The directives address how revenue can be raised, which new routes would be profitable to run trains on, and how service quality can be improved.

The decisions were taken at Bangladesh Railway's monthly coordination meeting on 29 October. The meeting was chaired by Bangladesh Railway's Director General, Md Afzal Hossain. The information comes from the minutes of that meeting, and several railway officials confirmed it on Sunday (15 November).

The directives include adding extra coaches, allotting shops at stations, and increasing the number and operations of commuter trains.

The meeting decided that all departments concerned must take the necessary steps to achieve the revenue target for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Trains in the western region must be operated according to standard composition.

To raise revenue from scrap sales, tenders already invited must be settled quickly, and the causes of falling revenue must be identified and addressed. The meeting also decided to direct that the leasing of commuter, local and mail trains be settled quickly.

Open tenders are to be invited to allot shops at newly built stations. There is also a directive on upgrading the Narayanganj local train into a commuter train.

The passenger numbers and revenue of the Joydebpur Commuter 3-4 train over the past six months are to be reviewed and a proposal sent on its operation. At the same time, a proposal is to be sent on extending the route of the 135/136 Ovibashi Commuter train to Gobra.

The 775/776 Sirajganj Express is to be examined for operation on its previous route, that is, from Ishwardi, and a proposal sent. The estate department has been asked to reconcile revenue accounts with the accounts department and present them at the next working meeting.

The directives further say the feasibility of connecting Chilmari with the Kurigram Express through a shuttle train must be examined and a proposal sent. Extra coaches must be added to various trains considering passenger demand. An initiative is also to be taken to launch a pair of intercity trains on the Mongla-Dhaka route.

Implementing these directives is expected to emphasise raising the railway's revenue and improving passenger service.