C'nawabganj-Rajshahi Route
New shuttle train soon
Says Obaidul Quader
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said Bangladesh Railway (BR) would introduce on more shuttle train on Chapainawabganj-Rajshahi route to meet commuters' demand.
The train would be introduced between March to August next year, he said adding that a coach would also be added to the existing train on the route by January in that year.
Quader said these while talking to journalists during a visit to Chapainawabganj Railway Station in Chapainawabganj town.
Earlier, hearing a complaint from a passenger, he instantly ordered official concerned over cellphone to transfer a BR staff Ibrahim, a booking clerk at Golabari Railway Station, to elsewhere as punishment for realising extra fare Tk6 to Tk10 from the passengers.
The minister said double line railway-tracks would be constructed in the Northern region.
But it would take about two years, he said.
Quader emphasised on ensuring of highest use of the existing facilities of trains in the country.
Stating government's plan regarding the railway, he said appointment of 11,000 staffs for the BR is under process.
The communications minister said an evil circle in the railway department has been engaged in pocketing money by misappropriating the BR's resources.
In the past years, some 153 stations have so far been closed in the country, he said.
Of total 56 thousand acres of land of the BR, about 5 thousand to 6 thousand acres have been grabbed by land grabbers, he added.
During the communications minister's visit at the Chapainawabganj Railway Station, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Brig Gen (Retd) Mohammad Enamul Haq, local lawmaker Abdul Odud and government officials were present.
On Thursday, Quader also visited Rohonpur Railway Station, an important railway route for transit to India and Nepal, in Chapainawabganj.
Construction of a railway link between Rohanpur and Singhabad of Indian Maldah district to facilitate transit from Bangladesh to Nepal through India was decided during a recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments