[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Railway

[Saif]

Every district to get rail station, Minister Zillul Hakim says

Rail stations will be built in every district of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to realise Bangabandhu’s dream, Railway Minister Zillul Hakim said on Saturday. All stations and lines will be renovated to facilitate connectivity in the public i

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Every district to get rail station, Minister Zillul Hakim says
UNB
Published :
May 18, 2024 23:12
Updated :
May 18, 2024 23:12

Rail stations will be built in every district of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to realise Bangabandhu's dream, Railway Minister Zillul Hakim said on Saturday.

All stations and lines will be renovated to facilitate connectivity in the public interest, he said.

He said this while visiting the site office of the broad gauge railway construction project from Madhukhali via Kamarkhali to Magura this afternoon and inspecting the progress of the project.

Later, the minister visited the under- construction railway bridge on Madhumati River, broad gauge railway and Magura's Ramnagar Thakurbari railway station areas.

Lawmaker Dr Biren Shikder, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Dr. Md Humayun Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abu Naser Baig, Superintendent of Police Mashiudullah Reza, Magura District Council Chairman and District Awami League General Secretary Pankaj Kumar Kundu, were also present.​

 

[Saif]

Project gets one-year extension to June 2025 with Tk 35.44m funds

The government has extended the execution deadline of the Padma Bridge railway link project with a substantial allocation of Tk 35.44 billion in the next development budget, officials said on Saturday. As the Bangladesh Railway (BR) failed to construct the 172-km railway line, a 'fast-track' mega

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Project gets one-year extension to June 2025 with Tk 35.44m funds
FHM HUMAYAN KABIR
Published :
May 19, 2024 00:13
Updated :
May 19, 2024 00:13

The government has extended the execution deadline of the Padma Bridge railway link project with a substantial allocation of Tk 35.44 billion in the next development budget, officials said on Saturday.

As the Bangladesh Railway (BR) failed to construct the 172-km railway line, a 'fast-track' mega project within its stipulated six-year period ending in June 2024, the government has to extend the deadline by one more year up to June 2025, they said.

The BR also failed to spend Tk 55 billion funds allocated under the current Annual Development Programme (ADP) and surrendered Tk 7.14 billion in the revised ADP two months ago.

Railway ministry officials said that although the construction of 82km Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga section has already been completed, the Bhanga-Jashore section requires more time to complete the entire project.

"The BR has already surrendered 13 per cent of its annual development budget due to the implementation failure," said a senior official at the Planning Commission.

The government in May 2016 undertook the mega project at a cost of Tk 349.89 billion and set a target to complete it on a fast-track basis by June 2022.

Of the total cost, Tk 102.398 billion was supposed to come from the internal resources while Tk 247.49 billion from the external resources as project assistance from the Chinese government on G-to-G basis.

But the BR has failed to start the physical work even in two years, compelling the government to revise the project in May 2018 with raising the cost to Tk 392.47 billion.

When asked, a senior PC official said it is frustrating to note that the BR is failing repeatedly to complete its projects in time, resulting in a time and cost overrun.

Although the Padma Bridge railway link is one of the 'fast-track' projects of the government, the implementing agency's delay in completion of the entire work pushed up the cost by Tk 42.58 billion, he added.

If the project could be completed timely, the people would have enjoyed services before the current schedule and the project could be completed at costs estimated initially, the PC official added.

Meanwhile, the PC last week approved the Tk 2.65 trillion ADP for FY2024-25 where it allocated Tk 35.44 billion funds for the struggling railway link project.

Out of the outlay, Tk 17.75 billion will be provided by the Chinese EXIM bank and the remaining Tk 17.69 billion from the government's internal resources.

The railway link is a flagship project for Bangladesh as the country's less-developed southwestern region was connected to the capital city by roads via the Padma Bridge.

In August 2016, the BR appointed a Chinese contractor to build the rail link from Dhaka to Jashore via the Padma Bridge and Bhanga in Faridpur.

The railway has begun commercial operations on the Dhaka-Bhanga section.

"However, full-track installation will require additional time," said a BR official, adding, "Once completed, the project will connect the underdeveloped southern districts with the developed central region."

The single-track line is designed for a maximum speed of 120 km per hour. The rail corridor via the bridge provides a direct rail link between Dhaka and southern areas, especially Mongla seaport and Benapole land port.

The total track length is 215.22 km, including a 172km broad-gauge main line and 43.22 km of loops and sidings.

The BR will also import 100 broad-gauge passenger coaches under the project.​

 

[Saif]

Govt presses on costly project for electric railway

Bangladesh Railway is pressing on with a costly plan for introducing electric traction system along Narayanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram and...

www.newagebd.net

Govt presses on costly project for electric railway
Shahin Akhter 20 May, 2024, 00:14

Bangladesh Railway is pressing on with a costly plan for introducing electric traction system along Narayanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram and Tongi-Joydevpur sections.

The final feasibility study report of a proposed project, presented on Sunday, estimated that the total project cost would be $781,794,583.

As per the dollar rate of Sunday, the amount will be about Tk 9,107 crore in Bangladesh currency.

The report was presented at a meeting held at Rail Bhaban in the capital.

The feasibility study was completed eight years after an initiative had been taken. Earlier in 2016, the railway took an initiative to conduct a feasibility study for introducing electric traction (including overhead catenary and sub-stations) between Narayanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram and Tongi-Joydevpur section of Bangladesh Railway.

On July 16, 2023, the railway inked a contract with Ankara-based TUMAS Turkish Engineering, Consulting and Contracting Company to conduct the feasibility study and prepare a detailed design for the proposed project at a cost of $5,24,050 which was funded fully by the Bangladesh government.

The main objective of the study was to find out whether the traction would be technically, economically, financially, environmentally and socially viable.

The report found the proposed project beneficial to the country economically and to the railway financially.

The final feasibility study was done on 348.16 kilometres of tracks out of which 336.89 kilometres had been on railway line on the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram section and 11.27km on the Tongi-Joydevpur section.

The proposed project has scope to covert 348.16km-track with 70 stations to the electric traction system which is proposed to be completed by 2032 and the scheduled operation will start in 2033.

By using the system, there will be an increase in freight traffic and the huge rate of return on capital, decrease of pressure on the road transport, transport mobility with savings in fuel consumption, green transportation, decrease in running cost, improve average speed and achieve compatibility with Trans-Asian railway network.

Under the proposed project there will be two types of line, main and commuter, while the train speed will be 120km per hour which can be upgraded later, the project director Md Habibur Rahman told New Age on Sunday.

For the commuter line, the capital cost estimation stood at $255,168,790 and for the main line the estimation stood at $526,625,793, said the report.

The report's economical and financial analysis both for the main and commuter lines for passengers from road network and trains users will gain time with new system, the report added.

The study also proposed for two workshops– one at Pahartali and another at Joydevpur.

Railway will finalise tendering works for phase 1 in 2026 and will start operating with electric fraction on 2028 (Commuter).

For phase 2, railway will finalise tendering works for phase 2 in 2030 and will start operating with electric traction on 2033 (Main Line).

The BR will finalise Phase 3A tendering works for 2026 and will add new rolling stock to inventory at 2028 (Commuter) and it will finalise Phase 3B tendering works for 2030 and will add new rolling stock to inventory in 2033 (Main Line).

Under the environmental considerations, there will be some limited negative effects in construction period such as catenary pole fountain digging, material transport emission and additional dust, it added.​

 

[Saif]

Contract inked to buy 200 carriages for railway

The railways authorities on Monday inked a contract with an India-based manufacture and supply company to procure 200 broad gauge carriages for the...

www.newagebd.net

Contract inked to buy 200 carriages for railway
Staff Correspondent 21 May, 2024, 00:31

The railways authorities on Monday inked a contract with an India-based manufacture and supply company to procure 200 broad gauge carriages for the Bangladesh Railway to improve communications in the country's southern region.

At the contract signing ceremony, railways minister Zillul Hakim urged expeditious effort from the railway officials to bring these coaches in Bangladesh.

'Our officials are efficient but slow,' he said, adding, 'they don't believe that it's possible to get carriages within 2–3 months and think that it would take 5–6 months,' he said, adding that it was unfortunate for him.

As per the contract, the delivery of the carriages is scheduled to start within 20 months from the effective date of contract and commissioning works to be completed within 36 months from the effective date of contract.

At a ceremony held at the Rail Bhaban in the capital the Bangladesh Railway and RITES Limited, India, signed the contract under a project titled 'Procurement of 200 Broad Gauge Passenger Carriages for Bangladesh Railway'.

In the signing of the contract, project director Md Zaidul Islam and RITES Limited executive director Rajeev Chaudhary represented Bangladesh Railway and the Indian company respectively.

The contract price for these carriages is Tk 1,205.54 crore.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Draft rail law allows private train service

The railway authorities have prepared the draft Bangladesh Railway Bill, 2024, by keeping a provision for letting private companies own rolling stock to carry passengers, goods, and parcels...

www.newagebd.net

Draft rail law allows private train service
Shahin Akhter 23 May, 2024, 00:22

Representational image. | New Age photo

The railway authorities have prepared the draft Bangladesh Railway Bill, 2024, by keeping a provision for letting private companies own rolling stock to carry passengers, goods, and parcels.

The Bangladesh Railway will give approval to private companies to use railway tracks, signals, and other physical infrastructure in this regard, the draft said.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Bilal9]

Contract inked to buy 200 carriages for railway
Staff Correspondent 21 May, 2024, 00:31
View attachment 6019

The railways authorities on Monday inked a contract with an India-based manufacture and supply company to procure 200 broad gauge carriages for the Bangladesh Railway to improve communications in the country's southern region.

.........

At a ceremony held at the Rail Bhaban in the capital the Bangladesh Railway and RITES Limited, India, signed the contract under a project titled 'Procurement of 200 Broad Gauge Passenger Carriages for Bangladesh Railway'.

In the signing of the contract, project director Md Zaidul Islam and RITES Limited executive director Rajeev Chaudhary represented Bangladesh Railway and the Indian company respectively.

The contract price for these carriages is Tk 1,205.54 crore.

While I applaud the decision to buy broad-gauge passenger carriages, the decision to buy them from India (RITES) was fool-hardy and wrong.

We should have bought these from Indonesia, given past trouble-free record of Indonesian rail-carriage products and the exact opposite with Indian-made products.

Moreover - the incumbent religious-fanatic govt. in India is openly hostile and and inimical to the interest of Bangladesh and Bangladeshis everywhere, both in word and in deeds. There is absolutely no reason to encourage their behavior by supporting Indian products and imports into Bangladesh to the amount of 1200 crore.

BR people and ministers are as corrupt as ever.

 

[Saif]

Govt shouldn’t let train services operation out to private hands

THIS is a good piece of news that the railway authorities, which run keeping to the Railways Act 1890, are updating the legislation understandably to keep pace with the changed context of the modern world...

www.newagebd.net

Govt shouldn't let train services operation out to private hands
24 May, 2024, 00:00

THIS is a good piece of news that the railway authorities, which run keeping to the Railways Act 1890, are updating the legislation understandably to keep pace with the changed context of the modern world. But what appears worrying about this is that, as New Age reported on May 23, the authorities are incorporating a provision to let private companies own rolling stocks to carry passengers and goods. The Bangladesh Railway, keeping to the provision, would allow private companies, as the draft of the law says, to use the railway line, the signalling system and other infrastructure for the operation of train services. While there are issues of concern in all this, what is further worrying is that the law would apply to the trial of the employees of the private companies in the event of any breach of the law, but the law stipulates no further action if the private companies would take punitive action against the employees of the private companies standing in breach of the law. What yet remains a matter of worry is that the provision that the authorities are planning to incorporate only constitutes a pointer to the failure of the authorities who are willing to let train services operation out to private entities as they fail to run the services properly.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Railway off track

A whopping Tk 1.22 lakh crore was poured into Bangladesh Railway for its development over the last 16 years, but the agency still faces a crippling crisis brought by ageing locomotives, carriages, and a shortage of staff due to what experts say are poorly planned and delayed projects.

www.thedailystar.net

Railway off track
Despite Tk 1.22 lakh crore allocation in 16 years, BR struggles to expand services

A whopping Tk 1.22 lakh crore was poured into Bangladesh Railway for its development over the last 16 years, but the agency still faces a crippling crisis brought by ageing locomotives, carriages, and a shortage of staff due to what experts say are poorly planned and delayed projects.

More than half the locomotives, carriages and freight wagons are over 20 years old, which affects railway's reliability.

Railway's fleet of 318 locomotives is far smaller than needed and 43 percent percent of it is over 40 years old. The shortage is so severe that the state-run transport agency has not been able to launch two new trains named and approved by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in December last year.

The crisis is only going to deepen because no new locomotive is likely to arrive in at least the next three years, officials said.

The Dhaka-Jashore rail line via the Padma Bridge is set to open in July, but BR is not likely to be able to fully utilise the expensive infrastructure due to lack of staff and carriages.

In 2023, the BR opened four new routes with a combined length of over 250km, but there is not enough trains to operate on the tracks.

Requesting anonymity, several BR officials said the government's main focus in recent years has been expansion of lines while procurement and maintenance of trains were neglected.

Since most of the BR's workshops and loco sheds are very old and lack staff, the regular maintenance and repair jobs take longer than usual, and the standard of work is subpar.

Amid Covid-19 pandemic and a few years prior to that, the BR suspended operations of at least 99 local, commuter and mail trains due to shortage of locomotives, carriages and staff. Very few of the services resumed after the pandemic.

Currently BR is implementing 32 projects of which deadline for 22 have been extended at least once. Some of the other 10 projects are also running behind schedule, BR documents show.

Deadlines for some projects were extended by over 10 years.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Rajbari-Tungipara: A lone train operating on Tk 2,110cr line!

Bangladesh Railway had taken up a project in 2010 to bring Tungipara of Gopalganj under the railway network without carrying out any feasibility study.

www.thedailystar.net

Rajbari-Tungipara: A lone train operating on Tk 2,110cr line!
No feasibility study done for the project; 4 stations non-operational

Bangladesh Railway had taken up a project in 2010 to bring Tungipara of Gopalganj under the railway network without carrying out any feasibility study.

The project was completed in 2018, more than five years behind schedule, for Tk 2,110 crore. The cost was almost double the initial estimates. But the BR now operates only one passenger train on Gopalganj-Rajbari-Rajshahi route.

The railway authorities also could not make four stations in this section operational due to a lack of manpower. Several buildings construed for the railway staffers at those stations still remain unused, leading to their decay.

The Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) under the planning ministry made these observations in its recently published Impact Assessment Report on the project.

The project was taken up to revive a 75km old line and build a 32km new track at a cost of Tk 1,101.32 crore.

The IMED report said the contractors used oversised stones on the rail track, making the line risky. It also found that a lack of maintenance and unauthorised level crossings are increasing the risks of accidents.

Transport expert Prof Hadiuzzaman said taking up a project without a feasibility study is not a good example.

"It is not possible to know the traffic demand, best locations of stations and the best possible links with roads without a proper study. Investing such a huge amount in a project without a study is questionable," he told The Daily Star yesterday.

As the BR invested money without assessing the traffic demand, they are operating only one train now which is not bringing enough returns for their investment, said Hadiuzzaman, a professor of civil engineering at Buet.

The Tungipara Express, which was launched in 2019, operates from Gobra of Tungipara to Rajshahi via Rajbari.

The BR could have invested this money in other projects if a proper study was conducted beforehand, he said.

A proper study might have suggested that the project should be taken up a few years later, the expert observed.

THE PROJECT

The rail line from Kalukhali of Rajbari to Bhatiapara Ghat of Gopalganj was constructed in 1932 but the line became inoperative in 1997.

The government in 2010 approved a project to revive the 75.5km section and build 32.35km of lines between Kashiani and Gopalganj to bring Tungipara, the birthplace of the father of the nation, under the railway network.

The project was supposed to be completed by June 2013. But it was completed in December 2018 with 330 percent time extension and 91.61 percent cost escalation, shows IMED document.

The IMED report said that the project saw time and cost overruns as it was taken up without a feasibility study.

It also said that nine project directors oversaw the scheme and the frequent changes of PDs hindered its progress to some extent.

The IMED said the rail line is not being maintained properly. Five years have passed since the opening of the rail line, but the BR is yet to deploy waymen (track maintenance workers).

According to the report, three staff quarters were built at each of the five stations but those were degrading as those were unoccupied.

Also, four stations on Kashiani-Gopalganj-Tungipara route remain inoperative due to a lack of manpower.

The stones used on the rail line is 30 to 40 percent oversised and the amount of stones were not adequate, the report mentioned.

Contacted, BR Director General Sardar Shahadat Ali yesterday said he would not comment on the project as he was not the DG when it was taken up.

He said they have shortages of manpower, locomotives and carriages and that's why they cannot make all stations operational and operate more trains on the line.

Asked about the return on investment, he said, "It's true that we are not getting enough return on the investment now. But we will have the expected return when will be able to operate more trains. However, it may take some more time."​

 

[Saif]

Proper feasibility study a must for railway projects

That Bangladesh Railway (BR) has been a loss-incurring entity for almost a decade is not news.

www.thedailystar.net

Proper feasibility study a must for railway projects
Bangladesh Railway needs to stop wasting public money

Visual: Star

That Bangladesh Railway (BR) has been a loss-incurring entity for almost a decade is not news. Yet, it is difficult not to get flabbergasted by BR projects that not only squandered public money during the implementation phase, but continues to be a burden for taxpayers. The lone passenger train operating on the Rajshahi-Rajbari-Gopalganj route, which railway authorities extended to bring Tungipara, the birthplace of the father of the nation, under the railway network is one such example.

According to a report in this daily, the government approved this project in 2010 to revive a 75-kilometre old, inoperative line from Kalukhali of Rajbari to Bhatiapara Ghat of Gopalganj and build a 32-kilometre line from Kashiani to Gopalganj to connect Tungipara. The project was completed in 2018, five years behind schedule and with a huge cost overrun. Till date, it has failed to generate enough return on investment because only one train runs on the Tk-2,011-crore line.

Additionally, there was no monitoring or quality checks of the material used by the contractors, essentially making the line risky. Now four stations and several staff quarters built along the route remain unused and are falling into decay. A top railway official attributed the underutilisation to the shortage of manpower, locomotives and carriages, but failed to acknowledge the issue of low traffic demand on that route.

We have repeatedly called attention to irregularities, inefficiency and poor performance of the railway authorities in implementing viable and profitable projects, and ensuring proper maintenance of its physical assets and infrastructure. But no one has ever been held accountable for BR's continuous wastage of public funds. Around the world, railway, a mode of transport with a low carbon footprint, is witnessing a comeback. If we want to follow on that track, we must ensure pragmatic and judicious leadership at the BR.​