Bangladesh Railway [Archive]

jason.kazi

January 23rd, 2011, 05:52 AM

Railway to offer 25 new services
Says communications boss, opens commuter train services on N'ganj route

In an effort to ease traffic hold-ups, Bangladesh Railway yesterday launched two new commuter train services on the Dhaka-Narayanganj route.

The services have been introduced to facilitate more people using the route, railway officials said adding, it would also provide over five thousand people a safer and more convenient mode of transport.

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain inaugurated the new services at Kamalapur Railway Station.

The minister said the government is working to procure another 30 pairs of Diesel-Electrical Multiple Units (DEMU) -- multiple unit trains with multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines.

These DEMUs will run on Dhaka-Joydevpur, Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Narayanganj routes as commuter services, he added.

Another 25 initiatives taken to improve the railway services would also start to show their results from next year, hoped the minister.

Rashed Khan Menon MP, president of Workers Party of Bangladesh and T A Chowdhury, director general of BR, were also present at the ceremony.

The new train set off from Kamalapur Railway Station at 11:20am and reached Narayanganj around 12:05pm.

The trains to and from the suburbs are always packed with commuters working in offices in the capital, said Md Nazmul Islam, Dhaka Divisional Transport Officer of BR.

While each of the six-coach trains can carry up to 350 sitting passengers, more than a hundred people buy standing tickets, he added.

Sources in railway said the first commuter train leaves Dhaka at 5:45am. After passing through Gandaria, Fatulla, Pagla and Chashara, it reaches Narayanganj at 6:25am. It sets off on return trip at 6:45am.

The second one leaves Dhaka at 6:40am to reach Narayanganj at 7:20am.

Twelve trains will operate in pairs from two ends in every hour of the day, with the last train leaving Narayanganj at 10:25pm. A one-way trip will cost Tk 6 a passenger, they added.

Railway officials believe the trains would be able to run on schedule as the tracks have been remodelled in a Tk 43-crore project.

“After the remodelling, the trains can run at a speed of 50 kilometres instead of 40 km. So, they can now reach the destinations faster,” mentioned an official.

jason.kazi

January 23rd, 2011, 05:52 AM

2 new trains on Dhaka-N'ganj route

Dhaka, Jan 22 (bdnews24.com) – Two more commuter trains have been pressed into service on Dhaka-Narayanganj route as part efforts to ease traffic gridlock in the capital.

Communications minister Syed Abul Hossain inaugurated the train services at Kamalapur Railway Station in the city on Saturday.

With the new two commuter trains, the total of 12 pairs of train will ply the railroad.

He also opened the rail tracks in Dhaka-Narayanganj section, rehabilitated spending Tk 435 million from government its own fund. Trains on the routes will be able to ply up to 50 kilometres per hour.

Speaking on the function, he said the government had taken initiatives to build the Second Bhairab Bridge and the Third Tista Railway Bridge with an Indian credit of $ 1 billion.

Dhaka and New Delhi signed a $1 billion credit line agreement in August last year for implementing different projects in Bangladesh.

He also said trains on the proposed Padma Bridge would start operating from the very first day of inauguration. "For this purpose, initiatives have been taken to set up railway link on its both sides."

Hossain claimed that the government has also taken initiatives to make train communications around the country more comfortable, safer and tour-friendly.

"A total of 25 projects have already been taken for the development of the railway sector. We have also taken initiatives to procure locomotives, broad gauge and metre gauge coaches."

Announcing that it was procuring 30 pairs of diesel-electrical multiple units (DEMU) with its own fund and Indian credit, he said these coaches would ply the Dhaka-Joydevpur, Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Narayanganj routes as commuter services, "which will help reduce traffic congestions in Dhaka city".

Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon MP, director general of Bangladesh Railway (eastern region) Tawhidul Anwar Chowdhury and general manager of Bangladesh Railway (eastern region) also spoke at the function.

Source: Bdnews24

jason.kazi

January 29th, 2011, 05:20 AM

Tripura approves Indo-Bangla rail link alignment

AGARTALA, Jan 28 – Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Friday said the State Government has approved the alignment for proposed rail link between Akhaura (Agartala) to Gangasagar in Bangaldesh.
The Chief Minister, who was speaking in the 21st Tripura Industries and Commerce Fair here today, said the Railway Ministry had placed the alignment report for the proposed rail connectivity seeking the State Government’s nod.

“We have readily agreed on the proposed alignment as it will be feasible for both sides. Now, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between India and Bangladesh and hopefully the work will flag off shortly”, he said.

A joint survey to prepare the alignment for the 16 km Indo-Bangla rail link was carried out in September and later it was placed before the both governments for final decision.

The Chief Minister also made it clear that the construction of a bridge over river Feni in South Tripura district would also begin soon as the final alignment has already been made.

Referring to the Centre’s query on whether the State Government is ready to take up the construction work, Sarkar said “If Centre fails to fund the project, the State will spend Rs 12 crore to get the work done”.

According to the survey, the distant between Sabroom and Chittgong port stands at only 72 km, which will provide a major boost to the connectivity between the two sides.

The Chief Minister also underlined need to introduce air service between Agartala-Dhaka-Guwahati to explore potential in trade and commerce.

However, he criticised the Centre for delaying the face lift of Assam-Agartala National Highway (NH-44) even after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s announcement. “We want the Centre to expedite the work for better connectivity to the landlocked Tripura”, he added.

jason.kazi

March 12th, 2011, 10:13 PM

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2011/2011_03_05/content_zoom/2011_03_05_1_15_b.jpg

Source: The Independent

jason.kazi

March 12th, 2011, 11:18 PM

Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link
Work to start by year-end

M Abul Kalam Azad

Dhaka and Delhi are set to construct a 10-kilometre railway track late this year directly linking Akhaura with Agartala by next year to facilitate transit for India, communications ministry officials say.

India has linked Agartala with its railway network in the northeast region. With the establishment of the new link, Tripura and part of Northeast India will be connected to the Chittagong Port through railway.

Communications ministry officials say the new rail link, to be constructed with Indian grant, will open up huge opportunities for both the countries in trade, tourism and communications.

India will be able to transport goods through the tracks by using the seaport, while Bangladesh will gain financial benefit by charging them for using the railway and port facilities.

Delhi has been pressing for the rail link as it will also reduce distance between Agartala and Kolkata by nearly three times. The distance between Agartala and Kolkata via Guwahati is around 1,200 km.

However, the rail link is mainly aimed at freight services.

There is also a road link between Akhaura of Brahmanbaria and Agartala of Tripura. The Dhaka-Agartala bus service, introduced in 2003, operates through the route irregularly hardly bringing any benefit out of it.

The two countries have already finalised alignment of the rail tracks and are now determining construction cost as well as the modus operandi of the train service.

"Both India and Bangladesh are moving fast to establish the train connectivity," Director General of Railway Towhidul Anwar Chowdhury told The Daily Star.

He said Bangladesh has already endorsed the alignment that connects Gangasagar, a small train station in Akhaura, and Agartala for the new route. A joint team selected the route in October last year.

"Both the countries will determine the cost and modus operandi of construction of the tracks after the central government endorses the route," said Md Iftekharul Islam, additional secretary of the communications ministry.

A memorandum of understanding will also be signed between the two sides before beginning of the construction.

According to a report of the joint team, Gangasagar and Agartala -- both about five kilometres off the international border -- will be linked through metre gauge line. But the option for a broad gauge line will also be there.

The joint team also proposed doubling the 4.4-kilometre Akhaura-Gangasagar section to facilitate smooth movement of trains.

The rail connectivity is taking place as per the agreement between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh during her visit to India in January last year.

According to railway officials, a survey was first conducted in 1999 for connecting the train stations in Agartala and Akhaura.

Earlier in April 2008, the two nations resumed a passenger train service between Dhaka and Kolkata after 43 years through Darshana in Bangladesh and Gede in Nadia district of West Bengal.

Source: The Daily Star

raptor7

April 4th, 2011, 08:30 AM

PM opens Tk 1,852cr railway project, new air force base
Unb, Cox's Bazar

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday formally inaugurated the construction work of rail line at Jhilongjha that will connect Cox's Bazar with other parts of the country.

The work on the Tk 1,852 crore project will be completed by December 31, 2013. Of the total amount, the government will provide Tk 670 crore while the rest Tk 1,182 crore will come as project aid.

Earlier in the morning, the prime minister also inaugurated the Cox's Bazar Air Force Base.

Under the railway project, there will be two metre gauge lines - one 100km long will connect Dohajari in Chittagong with Cox's Bazar via Ramu and the other 28km line will connect Ramu with Gundum.

There will be four bridges in the rail line over Sangu, Matamuhuri, Shankha and Banshkhali rivers.

The stations on the railway line will at Satkania, Dulahazra, Chokoria, Edgaon, Ramu, Cox's Bazar, Ukhia and Gundum.

The first survey for the railway line was conducted in 1890 during the British colonial regime. But due to the first and second world wars the construction works could not be started. The first feasibility study on the rail line was conducted in 2001 during the previous Awami League regime.

The primier offered munajat after formally inaugurating the construction works.

Later, at the same place, Hasina also opened the work on the upgraded submarine cable connection of Cox's Bazar Landing Station, which cost Tk 50 crore. She also offered mujajat and held a meeting with the officials.

According to officials, the government connected the submarine cable using the 40G solutions to increase the bandwidth.

The expansion works will be completed by November this year.

Source: Daily Star (04.04.11)
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=180356

Naz_toronto

April 5th, 2011, 03:52 AM

:banana::banana: if this happens..it will be too good.http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2011/2011_03_05/content_zoom/2011_03_05_1_15_b.jpg

Source: The Independent

jason.kazi

April 16th, 2011, 06:05 AM

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2011/2011_04_09/content_zoom/2011_04_09_6_3_b.jpg

Source: The Independent

jason.kazi

May 11th, 2011, 12:26 AM

Maitree Express runs for three more years

Fri, May 6th, 2011 10:08 pm BdST
Dial 2000 from your GP mobile for latest news
New Delhi, May 6 (bdnews24.com)

—Bangladesh and India have clinched a deal finalising the alignment for the proposed Akhaura-Agartala rail-link.

The two neighbours also renewed the bilateral agreement for running Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka for three more years.

Top officials of India and Bangladesh discussed and accepted the alignment for the proposed 14-kilometer-long rail-link in the Inter-Governmental Railway Meet in New Delhi.

The four-day-long parleys between Bangladesh and Indian Railways came to an end on Friday.

Officials of India's Ministry of Railways said that the two sides also had detailed discussion on the topographical survey along the alignment of the proposed rail-link.

Bangladesh and India had on April 10, 2008 signed a bilateral agreement to run a passenger train – Maitree Express – between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment.

The bi-weekly train was introduced on April 14, 2008. The agreement was valid for three years and extendable for similar periods of three years at a time.

It was accordingly extended by mutual consent of the two countries during the meeting in New Delhi.

During the Inter-Governmental Railway Meet, Dhaka and Delhi also agreed to explore ways to reduce transit time of the Maitree Express "within the prevailing system of working by lessening detention at stations on either end".

The change would become effective from the next time table of 2011 or earlier, said Indian Railways officials.

The top officials of the Indian and Bangladesh Railways also discussed a proposal to introduce a luggage handling system on Maitree Express on the line of airlines.

They also decided to open a new ticket counter for Maitree Express at Kolkata Station.

During prime minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi in January 2010, India and Bangladesh had agreed to lay tracks between Akhaura and Agartala.

It was agreed that the construction of the proposed Akhaura – Agartala railway link would be financed by a grant from India.

The Indian government is likely to spend an estimated amount of Indian Rupees 251 crore for the rail link, which New Delhi plans to bring to reality within three to four years.

The director-general of Bangladesh Railways, Mohammed Tawhid Ul Anwar Chowdhury led the five-member delegation from Dhaka to Delhi for the Inter Governmental Railway Meet with top officials of Indian Railways.

Bangladesh and India hold Inter Governmental Railway Meet once every six months.

Officials of Indian Railways said in New Delhi that the feasibility survey on the Bangladesh side was underway at present. The preliminary survey on the Indian side had already been done, they added.

A joint team of Indian and Bangladesh railway officials have been working on the project, which will link Agartala, the capital of northeastern Indian state of Tripura, with Akhaura in Bangladesh.

New Delhi has been keen to establish the Agartala-Akhaura rail-link as it would pave the way for connectivity between India's West Bengal State and Tripura through Bangladesh.

Until a few years ago, Tripura only had a nominal rail-head that linked one of its northernmost towns with neighbouring State of Assam and then with rest of India. Agartala was brought within the Indian Railways' networks in 2008.

The North-Eastern Frontier Railways of the Indian Railways runs passenger trains between Agartala and Silchar in southern Assam.

The Indian government already initiated works for upgrading the Silchar-Agartala rail-line from Meter Gauge to Broad Gauge.

Besides, surveys for extending the rail-link to Sabroom in southern Tripura. Sabroom is also very close to India-Bangladesh border and just about 70 kms from Chittagong Port.

The other issues discussed at the Inter Government Railway Meet included container train services between Bangladesh and India and running of freight trains between the two countries.

The rail officials also decided that the Sanskriti Express run by Indian Railways on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Ravindranath Tagore would be run to Dhaka sometime after next August.

Indian Railways on May 9 last year launched the special exhibition train at Howrah Station in West Bengal.

The exhibition train has coaches christened as Jeevan Smriti, Gitanjali, Muktadhara and Chitralekha.

The Jiban Smriti provides a glimpse of Tagore's life through photographs, while his songs, poems and letters were put on display in Gitanjali.

Muktadhara takes visitors on a journey through his novels, essays and plays. Chitralekha depicts his paintings, while the fifth coach depicts the last journey of Tagore.

bdnews24.com/corr/bd/2156h

TIslam

August 5th, 2011, 08:16 PM

It signs $57.31m deal with Chinese firm

Munima Sultana

The Financial Express

Bangladesh Railway will launch 10 new commuter train services from late next year in an effort to ease crippling gridlock on the roads, officials said Thursday.

Communication minister Syed Abul Hossain made the announcement in the city after the state-owned train service provider signed a $57.31 million deal to purchase 20 sets of commuter trains from a Chinese company.

Tangsung Railway Vehicle Company of China will supply the trains, called Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMO), in 15 months and the commuter services will be introduced later next year on 10 different routes, mostly in Dhaka and Chittagong.

BR Director General Abu Taher and TRVC Deputy Managing Director Jhen Daew signed the contract at Railway Bhaban in presence of the communication minister and Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xianyi.

The minister said the latest BR initiative would ease daily hassles for the office-goers and the workers who have to travel hours on buses to attend offices and factories.

According to a Japanese aid agency study, five million commuters travel to Dhaka and its suburbs every day to attend work and most have to ride buses and minibuses as the capital lacks commuter train services like most other cities in the world.

The minister said the new service will also help improve the BR's services and capacity and relieve the country's congested roads of some pressures.

Each DEMO, which is a set of two engines on both sides with three coaches, will have the capacity to carry 300 passengers on every route, according to the railway officials.

BR has planned to launch the services on Dhaka-Joydevpur, Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Narayanganj, Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Bhairab Bazar, Chittagong-Feni, Chittagong-Nazirhat, Chittagong-Dohazari, Dinajpur-Parbatipur-Rangpur, Lalmonirhat-Parbatipur-Syedpur routes.

Several railway officials, however, doubted whether the commuter services would bring any tangible benefit to traffic management in the capital and the port city of Chittagong.

They said the two cities mostly have single track rail line, which is not suitable for commuter services and may hamper regular train services

Railway lines also intersect busy points in the capital, meaning they will likely cause more gridlock roads if the commuter services are intensively introduced.

"Unless we lay double tracks in the two cities, the commuter service won't do much to ease jams," said an official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The BR has already undertaken a project to lay double tracks between Dhaka and its northern suburb of Joydevpur.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=145199&date=2011-08-05

vishal

August 5th, 2011, 10:14 PM

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2011/2011_03_05/content_zoom/2011_03_05_1_15_b.jpg

Source: The Independent

I am sorry, but I think this is an incorrect article. DEMU (Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit) is not run on Electric Traction but solely by Diesel Powered Locos. The electric counterparts for DEMU are MEMU and/or EMU.

Here is an excerpt from Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel-electric_Multiple_Unit

In a diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) a diesel engine drives an electrical generator which produces electrical energy. The generated current is then fed to electric traction motors on the wheels or bogies in the same way as a conventional diesel electric locomotive.[1]

In modern DEMUs, such as the Bombardier Voyager family, each car is entirely self-contained and has its own engine, generator and electric motors.[1] In older designs, such as the British Rail Class 207, some cars within the consist may be entirely unpowered or only feature electric motors, obtaining electrical current from other cars in the consist which have a generator and engine.

manbil777

August 6th, 2011, 06:35 PM

You are partially correct IMHO.

The majority of railway/subway cars -- whether they drive themselves, or are pulled by dedicated locomotives, use electric traction motors. These are typically heavy duty VVVF (Variable Voltage/Variable frequency) Drives (meaning motors). In the Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU's), the current for the motors comes from a Diesel fuel generator. In the lines with electrification -- the current passes from the overhead conductor directly to the drive motors below. Motors can be connected to hydraulic or geared transmission to drive wheels. Here's an explanation of electric traction from the IRFCA (http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-elec.html).

Here's a comparison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_unit#Comparison_to_locomotive-hauled_trains)between Multiple unit self-propelled train vs. those pulled by locomotives.

The Budd Rail Diesel Car (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_RDC) in the US is an early (WW II) example of a successful Diesel Multiple Unit which did not use Electric Motors (DMMU) but used direct transmission. You can see the exhaust for the Diesel generator in the mid-section of the railcar. Here's a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzGKEc4R4OI&feature=related).

Nowadays the best example of a DEMU in USA is the SEPTA (philadelphia) Silverliner V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoczWBmDtlM) manufactured by Hyundai ROTEM in Korea.

Most modern commuter class DEMU's such as the Tonggeun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonggeun)class in Korea (for example) use Cummins/Caterpillar turbo-diesels and VVVF drives which are very reliable.

vishal

August 7th, 2011, 01:19 AM

manbil777

August 7th, 2011, 11:05 AM

vishal

August 7th, 2011, 11:11 PM

Here (http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/dmus-shipped-to-ghana.html)'s a DEMU made by CNR Tangshan (not tangsung as mentioned on post #72!) Railway Vehicle Co in China for Ghana.

I'd bet this is the design slated for use in Dhaka because it is their lone standard export model.
That's more like it ....Though the train is running on an electrified track (coincidence), no pantograph is visible. I think Sri Lankan Railways also use similar Chinese DMUs.

manbil777

August 8th, 2011, 04:40 PM

vishal

August 8th, 2011, 11:36 PM

A video of the Sri Lankan S10 class (China made) here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vox-Jcb78-I) kind of similar to the Ghana units. As seen -- not all cars have the diesel power units. Only the end units. So I doubt this can be called a DMU although labelled in the video as such. The S9 class which is also China made is not a DMU either (separate loco at both ends -- push/pull).

I do see a double DMU unit at 0:20 of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMTbbJBd4zc&feature=related)video though.
You are right, The first video is not a DMU as only the last unit in the train had diesel engine. Also, it is not necessary for a DMU to have all cars equipped with engines to be qualified as one. In India, generally DMU's have 3 motor vans, 2 at the ends and one in the middle. Even EMU's have similar placements.

manbil777

August 11th, 2011, 03:27 PM

Older article citing challenges BR faces.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/is-it-mission-impossible.html

manbil777

August 11th, 2011, 03:29 PM

Cox's Bazar to join Bangladesh Railway network in 2013

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/coxs-bazar-to-join-network-in-2013.html

BANGLADESH: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially launched construction of a rail link to the southern coastal town of Cox's Bazar on April 3.

First planned in 1890, the 100 km metre gauge line will start from the current railhead at Dohazari, southeast of Chittagong, and run to Satkania, Dulahazra, Chakarin, Edgaon, Ramu and Cox's Bazar, with four major river bridges. A 28 km branch will run from Ramu to Gundum.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013, with the government meeting 6·7bn taka of the 11·8bn taka cost and the rest provided as international aid.

manbil777

August 11th, 2011, 03:35 PM

Another story here (http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=150796).

Railway to link Cox's Bazar -- 7 priority projects in communications sector

TIslam

August 28th, 2011, 03:56 AM

Passenger and goods carrying capacity, facilities continue to decline over last 4 decades

The Daily Star
Sunday, August 28, 2011

M Abul Kalam Azad

The capacity of Bangladesh Railway (BR) has been dwindling since the independence of the country despite the fact that the demand for rail service is growing.

Successive governments' apathy to the sector has made the once reliable mode of transport nearly as unsafe as all other means of road transport. In 2010 alone, there had been a staggering 403 derailment of trains.

Official records show trains used to carry more passengers and freight than did the vehicles on road a couple of decades ago. But the railway's share of carriage has now reduced to just nine percent while that of passengers to four percent.

This is the situation when the country's population doubled and mobility increased by several folds over the last four decades.

“People press for more train stoppages at various district towns every day. They submit memorandums and organise rallies to make their voices heard,” said BR Director General Abu Taher, adding, “But unfortunately, we are unable to address these problems due to poor allocation in the sector.”

BR operates 283 passenger trains in 44 districts while there is no railway service in 20 other districts.

Half of these trains cannot follow their schedules due to frequent derailment or some other reasons, an official of operation department said.

“The shabby condition of most of the rail tracks causes derailment while the locomotives are too old to drag coaches and wagons,” a senior railway official observed.

He said most of the locomotives are four decades old when the average lifespan of a locomotive is 20 years.

This has pushed travellers to depend heavily on road services, which is a reason for frequent accidents and deaths. This situation can be avoided through massive investment and extension of railway, according to many railway officials.

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain said, “The demand for rail service is immense, but the railway is simply unable to take the huge load.”

However, this situation did not happen just due to fund crunch or inept management of the railways. The BR has also been suffering due to the fact that the government did not increase train fare since 1992.

Officials say that over the decades the government invested miserly on the maintenance of the existing tracks, installing new tracks and purchasing new engines and coaches.

During this period, the railway lost hundreds of kilometres of tracks and many stations.

According to the railway boss, a good number of projects are being implemented to reform the sector and improve its service. However, the fund shortage still remains the main concern.

Under the projects, worn-out tracks will be rehabilitated, new tracks will be constructed, single tracks will be upgraded to double tracks, signalling system will be improved, stations will be modernised and coaches, wagons and engines will be purchased in next three years.

The achievements

The addition of rail tracks along the bridge on the river Jamuna in 1998 was the major success for BR as it established rail link between the country's eastern and western regions. A total of 23 trains now operate through the bridge every day.

In addition to that, introduction of an express train between Dhaka and Lalmonirhat in 2004, recent inauguration of another intercity train service between Rangpur and Dhaka and resumption of the Maitree train service between Dhaka and Kolkata in 2008 are a few gains of BR.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=200462

iamgr8

December 31st, 2011, 02:00 PM

Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydevpur new commuter train service from January 2012

http://www.thedailystar.net/latest_photo/2011/12/31/2011-12-31__rail-track.jpg

Rail minister unveils two-yr roadmap for railway
Govt eyes setting up new N’ganj-Dhaka-Joydevpur tracks
Saturday, December 31, 2011

The government would focus on constructing additional tracks from Dhaka to Joydevpur and Narayanganj for timely operation of trains, Railways Minister Suranjit Sengupta said on Saturday.

In the face of growing numbers of commuters, he said two additional trains would be added to the Dhaka-Narayanganj and Dhaka-Joydevpur routes in January.

“We have plans to add another intercity train to the Dhaka-Sylhet route from April,” he told reporters while unveiling a two-year roadmap for the development of ailing railway sector at Rail Bhaban.

According to the latest plan, Bangladesh Railway authorities would build third and fourth tracks between Kamalapur Station and Tongi junction where most of the incoming trains stop for clearance to enter the capital causing severe delays for passengers.

The two additional lines – one for Dhaka-bound and the other for Tongi-bound trains – will help railway to operate more trains on time.

“I have been pressing the donors to fund the third and fourth tracks,” said Sengupta.

Again, he said, he would try to implement the second line between Tongi and Joydevpur, and Dhaka to Narayanganj.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=34779

manbil777

January 3rd, 2012, 10:30 AM

jason.kazi

January 13th, 2012, 05:41 AM

2 new trains to ply between Dhaka and Joydevpur

Bangladesh Railway will launch two additional ‘Turag Express’ train services on Dhaka-Joydevpur route on Saturday to ease traffic jam in the city and fulfil the demand of the commuters.

The Turag Express-7 will leave Dhaka at 1:30pm and arrive at Joydevpur at 2:50pm. On the other hand, the Turag Express-8 will leave Joydevpur at 4:00pm and arrive at Dhaka at 5:15 pm, according to an official release.

Railways Minister Surenjit Sengupta will inaugurate the train service at Kamalapur Railway Station. —UNB

Source: The Daily Sun

iamgr8

January 16th, 2012, 10:15 AM

Malaysian company eager to invest in railway of Bangladesh
Sunday, 15 January 2012

DHAKA: Malaysian Gunung Private Limited on Sunday expressed its interest to launch a train in Dhaka-Sylhet route.

The proposal was made at a meeting held at the railway ministry between the Railway Minister Suranjit Sengupta and a business delegation led by the company’s Co-chairman Syed Abul Hasan.

“The company will invest in installing modern signalling railway system in Dhaka-Sylhet route,” said the railway minister to reporters after the meeting.

“We are also planning to improve the railway of Akhaura-Sylhet route,” he added.

Co-chairman of the company said, “We have to study all the detail before giving final proposal. We have land based transport business in Malaysia.”

He expressed his keenness in launching at least one train in Bangladesh in memory of his father who was a son of this soil.

http://theindependentbd.com/online-edition/89960-malaysian-company-eager-to-invest-in-railway-of-bangladesh.html

iamgr8

January 16th, 2012, 04:24 PM

Bangladesh to open new rail-link to Bhutan, Nepal

http://www.banglanews24.com/images/imgAll/2012January/SM/Raillink-sm20120116091356.jpg

DHAKA: In a major development, Bangladesh has decided to open Chilahati-Haldibari rail link latest by December 2012 for easier connectivity with Bhutan and Nepal through India.

This route is likely to be the fifth route agreed upon as transit points between these two neighbouring countries.

Hashimara station in India is hardly 182-km away from Bangladesh`s Chilahati station. Incidentally, Hashimara station is located on Bhutan border as well.

Passengers can reach Hashimara in about three hours through the proposed Chilahati-Haldibari route, said a competent source.

Jogbani station in India is located only 40-km away from Haldibari and about 52-km away from Bangladesh`s Chilahati. The proposed rail link could facilitate passengers from Jogbani bordering Nepal to pass through New Jalpaiguri and Katihar route as well.

Incidentally, the two countries already have four other railway transit points between them: Rahanpur (Chapainawabganj)-Singhabad, Birol (Dinajpur)-Radhikapur, Darsana (Kushtia)-Gede and Kulaura (Moulvibazar)-Mahishashan.

The opening of the rail link between Chilahati and Haldibari will be a revival of old rail link which was operational till 1965, sources said and added the transit route connecting India and Bangladesh was abandoned following the Indo-Pak war in 1965.

According to sources, Bangladesh railways will have to construct about 7.5-km new rail lines from Chilahati to reach the border while Indian Railways will have to build 4.5-km new track from its border to Haldibari station.

It may be recalled that both the countries had inked a pact last year during Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina`s visit to the country for opening new rail links with Bangladesh for cultural exchange and various activities between the two countries, said.

Though the joint declaration between the two countries did not mention this particular route, they later realized that opening of this route would facilitate movement of people from both the countries as well trade and commerce, sources said and added the proposed route would revive easy regional connectivity among members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).

Source: Times of India

http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=d501091236ae1875a06c4fa666166697&nttl=1601201230841&toppos=2

iamgr8

January 18th, 2012, 10:44 PM

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2011/08/05/2011-08-05__front05.jpg

20 sets of such DEMU trains will arrive from China by this year.

jason.kazi

January 18th, 2012, 11:29 PM

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2011/08/05/2011-08-05__front05.jpg

20 sets of such DEMU trains will arrive from China by this year.

Impressive, if we can maintain them.

iamgr8

January 19th, 2012, 09:56 PM

Rail won’t be privatized: Suranjit
19 Jan 2012 10:28:14 PM Thursday BdST

DHAKA: Railway Affairs Minister Suranjit Sengupta Thursday said the rail would be never made privatization as it is the state property.

“The rail would never be made privatization. It will remain as the property of the state. National consensus will have to be built up among all the political parties,” he said.

The railway minister came up with the assertion while addressing a discussion meeting on ‘railway ministry: people’s expectation and task to be done’ held at the National Press Club.

The discussion meeting was jointly organized by Urban Planning Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh Institute of Planners Paribesh Bachao Andolon and WBB.

Mentioning that the double rail will be introduced on Dhaka-Chittagong route, he said, “The excellent communication system will be built up by coordinating all the communications systems.”

The ruling Awami League lawmaker also called upon all the social organizations for creating awareness among the all political parties.

Director-General of Bangladesh Railway Engineer Abu Taher, Urban Planner Niaz Rahman and CPB President Comrade Manjurul Ahsan Khan also spoke.

http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=cc6a03346a8c24eacf57bdf97c1f9c9e&nttl=1901201231162&toppos=2

jahidus2005

January 20th, 2012, 09:40 AM

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2011/08/05/2011-08-05__front05.jpg

20 sets of such DEMU trains will arrive from China by this year.

any source about this news bro ?

iamgr8

January 20th, 2012, 10:50 AM

^^

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/8499/84585152.png

iamgr8

January 20th, 2012, 11:03 PM

Chandpur-Laksam train line to be modernised
20/01/2012

Fifty kilometre-long train line and its services between Chandpur and Laksam would be modernised at a cost of Tk 105.54 crore during the current fiscal year.

According to Chandpur Railway office, the work of the project will begin in the third week of this month.

The work of the project will start from Madhuroad Rail Station under Chandpur. Under the project, the Madhuroad Rail Station would have a double line instead of one.

Meanwhile, tender and work order of the project have already been completed. M/S. Kalindi, a rail construction firm of India got the work.

Liakat Ali, deputy engineer of Bangladesh Railway, said new 12 railway stations between Chandpur and Laksam would be constructed under the project.

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/national/47724.html

British-Bangladeshi

January 26th, 2012, 07:38 PM

President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Asif Ibrahim on Thursday placed a 15-point recommendation to the government for the revival of the country’s railway sector, the most popular means of communication worldwide.

The proposals include enhancing investment in the railway sector under Public-Private Partnership (PPP), drawing up an appropriate project plan consistent with the ‘transport master plan,’ and repair, modernisation and expansion of railway tracks as well as railway connectivity with India, China and Myanmar.

The DCCI leader came up with the proposal at a seminar, titled ‘Revival of Railway’s Potential Role for Business Expansion’, held at the DCCI auditorium Thursday noon.

DCCI arranged the seminar where Railways Minister Suranjit Sengupta was the chief guest while Railways secretary Fazle Kabir and chairman of Standard Bank Limited Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed were present as special guests.

Dr. M Rahmatullah, Transport Policy and Planning specialist and former director of UN-ESCAP (Transport), Bangkok presented the keynote paper at the seminar.

In his welcome address, Asif Ibrahim said since Bangladesh has a population of nearly 16 crore, the existing 272 trains are inadequate to address the huge demand. “The number of trains should be increased through expanding the railway network.”

He also laid emphasis on the introduction of electronic ticketing system, maintaining schedule of trains and enhancing workforce in the railway sector.

Referring to a recent study, the DCCI president said approximately 40 percent business working hours are being wasted each year due to traffic congestion in the country causing a loss of Tk 20,000 crore and with the money a project like Padma Bridge could be built.

He said the railway could be a suitable option to resolve traffic congestion in the country, especially the major cities.

http://news.priyo.com/business/2012/01/26/revival-railways-dcci-places-1-45976.html

FazilLanka

March 3rd, 2012, 05:27 AM

Need a good raill transportation right now....

British-Bangladeshi

March 19th, 2012, 10:33 PM

Rail to introduce credit, debit cards for its travellers

"From across the world, rail passengers will be able to book or purchase railway tickets with credit and debit cards using net facility," Railways Minister Suranjit Sengupta told news agency BSS.

The minister said the new option for passengers will be launched soon in a bid to ensure hassle free service and curb malpractices while purchasing train tickets.

"After incorporating the new option, all passengers will have access to see the seat plan, their seat position and purchase their seats easily by using credit or debit cards 3 days prior to their travel," Suranjit said.

"Internet ticketing will help passengers spare the hassle of coming all the way to the station during working hours and waiting in long queues, they will be able to purchase and print their tickets," the railway minister added.

According to the BR, the customers will have the option to either book tickets or purchase them instantly, subject to availability of tickets once the railway authority introduces the modern facility in their ticketing system.

There are four types of credit cards such as, Visa, Master, Maestro and Nexus will be allowed for payments and purchase rail e-tickets. A visa debit card will also do the same job. BRAC Bank Ltd has been assigned to operate all transactions of both type of cards.

Initially the e-ticketing service will be offered at Kamalapur, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Khulna stations across the country for the inter-city trains.

Later the systems will be incorporated at 62 stations as soon as those stations avail computer and net facilities to sell tickets across the country.

Computer Network System (CNS) has been assigned to implement the new initiative for improving the train service by meeting demand of the passengers under an agreement signed four years ago with BR.

On an average, about 53.8 million passengers travel by railway in Bangladesh every year. Over 40,000 people travel to and from Dhaka through Kamalapur Railway Station each day. The existing provision of mobile ticketing system through SMS will also continue to better serve the passengers.

News Source:
The Independent

British-Bangladeshi

March 30th, 2012, 03:26 AM

BR to procure 200 MG coaches

The Bangladesh Railway (BR) is set to procure 200 meter gauge (MG) passenger coaches under a supplier’s credit programme, officials of the state owned entity said on Wednesday, reports BSS.

“We would float an international tender for procuring MG coaches under supplier’s credit or tenderer’s financing initiative,” Joint Director General (Mechanical) of BR Mohammad Shamsu-zzaman told the news agency.

Zaman said the railway would be able to carry a large number of passengers with more intercity trains in different routes after the procurement.
“The coaches are likely to come from any country except India which has stopped manufacturing MG coaches,” he said.

Asked about the cost for the major development programme of the railway, Zaman said the price would be determined based on the proposals from the interested parties. He, however, said the lowest bidder would get priority.

According to BR, a letter of intent has already been placed to the higher authorities for green signals.

The government has taken the initiative to procure 200 MG coaches after the present fleet of the railway failed to meet the growing demand of the passengers and commuters.

The BR headquarters also proposed to procure tank wagons, 220 MG bogy flat container and 10 set MG diesel electric multiple units in a short period of time.

Apart from it, the BR signed several contracts with the Indian companies under the $1 billion Indian Line of credit.

The contracts include procurement of 81 meter-gauge oil tank wagons, three brake vans, 180 broad gauge tank wagons, six compartment brake vans and 10 BG diesel electric (DE) locomotives.

It also includes the construction of second bridges at Bhairab and Titas.
The BR would also construct two additional rail tracks in Dhaka- Tongi section, while it would transform the Tongi- Joydebpur into dual-gauge double lines.

News Source:
News Today

fahim_519

April 11th, 2012, 08:55 PM

BANGLADESH RAILWAY
'Railway-gate' Scandal
Suranjit comes under fire
Govt embarrassed; BNP asks minister to go; ACC to probe; Tk 70 lakh alleged to have come from recent recruitment
http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2012/04/12/2012-04-12__ft06.jpg

Staff Correspondent
--------------------
Railway Minister Suranjit Sengupta received heavy flak from various quarters over the seizure of Tk 70 lakh from his assistant personal secretary's car Monday night and his handling of the matter afterwards.

The parliamentary body on railway ministry and officials of railway and other ministries alleged that Suranjit took the matter very lightly. They questioned how neutral the two probe committees, formed by the minister, would be when an officer of the same ministry would be investigating his subordinates.

Even the Anti-Corruption Commission joined the bandwagon yesterday. The watchdog said it would launch a probe into the minister's alleged involvement in the incident, reports Channel i, a private TV channel.

Meanwhile, the opposition BNP demanded the minister's resignation while the parliamentary body launched a probe into the ministry's handling of tenders over the last three years.

The money found in the car is believed to be bribes from railway job seekers.

On late Monday, Ali Azam, driver of Suranjit's assistant personal secretary Omar Faruq Talukder's car; with him, Railway's General Manager (East) Yusuf Ali Mridha and Chief Commandant Enamul Huq on board drove the car into the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana in the capital. When guards at the gate rushed to the vehicle for unauthorised entry, the driver told them there was bribe money stashed in the car. The guards discovered Tk 70 lakh in the car and they detained the four.

adesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana in the capital. When guards at the gate rushed to the vehicle for unauthorised entry, the driver told them there was bribe money stashed in the car. The guards discovered Tk 70 lakh in the car and they detained the four.

The BGB personnel wanted to hand them over to police but police refused to receive them saying there was no case filed against them. Faruq, Yusuf and Enamul were eventually released but the driver is said to be still in BGB custody.

The Daily Star failed to reach the driver for comments despite repeated attempts on his two mobile phones.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a demonstration in the capital against price hike of essentials called for Suranjit's resignation. He said the minister should shoulder the responsibilities of what has happened, reported UNB.

Suranjit, clearly on the back foot, held a press conference yesterday and said Faruq and Yusuf had been asked not to come to work until further notice.

“This was unwarranted,” Suranjit Sen Gupta told the press, adding, “In a country like ours, this kind of incidents has happened before. This incident has created problems for me. I will face it.”

When the press asked if he had suspended them, he was rather vague and said, “You can also think like that if you want.”

However, after the seizure of the money the minister had told a press briefing at Rail Bhaban that the two would continue work since they have not been proved guilty of any wrongdoing. He denied that Enamul was even in the car.

Late last night, Suranjit's personal secretary sent a letter to the secretary of the ministry informing him of Faruq's suspension from yesterday morning.

Sources in the railway said Rail Sramik League, ministers, lawmakers, ruling party leaders and a section of corrupt railway officials were taking bribes from job seekers. The railway ministry recently started recruitment of 7,500 people.

A senior railway official on condition of anonymity said, “Tk 2 lakh to 5 lakh is being taken from each candidate.”

During the meeting of the parliamentary body on the railway ministry at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday, a number of lawmakers came down heavily on the minister over the issue.

They even questioned how an APS has a lawmaker's sticker on his personal car.

The parliamentary body yesterday formed a five-member sub-committee headed by lawmaker Shah Alam to probe alleged irregularities in awarding tender under the ministry's various projects in the last three years.

BNP MP Rehana Akhter Ranu, a member of the parliamentary body, demanded that the government forms a judicial probe committee for this. She said Suranjit must resign for the sake of impartial investigation.

Rehana said, “We believe the minister's APS and a general manager of the ministry were carrying the money to give him [Suranjit] as bribe in exchange for recruitments in the ministry.”

Other members, including a ruling party lawmaker, of the standing committee asked the minister about the alleged corruption in recruiting employees in the railway ministry.

Suranjit, also a member of the parliamentary body, said such incident was unexpected and he would place the enquiry reports of the two probe committees before the parliamentary body and take actions as per the committee's directives.

Suranjit refused Rehana's demand for judicial probe.

Talking to The Daily Star, several railway officials and employees said the three--Faruk, Mirdha and Enamul--should have been suspended immediately and an independent investigation body should have been formed.

Joint secretary (administration) of the railway ministry Shashi Bhushan Singha was assigned to investigate the involvement of Mirdha while minister's Personal Secretary Akhtaruzzaman was probing the involvement of Faruk.

“How can the minister's PS be assigned to investigate such an incident since both work closely?” a mid-level official told The Daily Star at Railway Bhaban yesterday. He said an official of the ministry could not probe irregularities of an official of the same ministry.

Another junior official said he suspected that proper investigation would not be possible by the probe committees. “Officials of other ministries could have easily been engaged in the probe,” he said, requesting anonymity.

Another official said, “There are allegations that many of us are chor [thieves]. This is the proof of that.”

The official said if Yusuf was quizzed, everything would be revealed.

Meanwhile, the Railway Bhaban yesterday looked desert since morning as almost no senior officials attended work.

GOVT, AL EMBARRASSED
The government and the ruling Awami League were embarrassed by the incident, The Daily Star found out after talking to several leaders and ministers.

However, none agreed to make official comments.

“It is really embarrassing for the government and the party as well at this time [late part of the government's tenure],” said a minister requesting not to be named. “It is a very sensitive matter…”

The minister said they would discuss the matter with the prime minister upon her return from Turkey on Saturday.

Highly placed government sources said that before her departure, the prime minister has asked the railways minister to suspend his APS immediately.

Awami League Deputy Office Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, however, said there might be a conspiracy behind the incident. It could have been staged to disgrace the government.

ACC TO PROBE
Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Ghulam Rahman yesterday said the commission would investigate the allegation of bribe against Railways Minister Suranjit Sengupta.

“There used to be no investigation into any allegation against ministers in the past, but now the graft watchdog will probe,” he said, addressing the concluding ceremony of a training programme for the newly-appointed 28 ACC Assistant Directors, reports UNB.

The ACC chairman also said the commission would also conduct an investigation into the allegations of corruption in the Padma bridge project and against the company Destiny 2000.

fahim_519

April 16th, 2012, 09:18 PM

রেলমন্ত্রী সুরঞ্জিতের পদত্যাগ
http://www.inbworld.net/files/image/201204161334561621suranjit-sm20120416132609.jpg
অবশেষে পদত্যাগ করলেন রেলমন্ত্রী সুরঞ্জিত সেনগুপ্ত। আজ সোমবার রেলভবনে সংবাদ সম্মেলন ডেকে তিনি তার পদত্যাগের কথা ঘোষণা করলেন। ব্যক্তিগত এপিএস ফারুকের গাড়িতে ৭০ লাখ টাকার জের ধরে গত কয়েকদিন বেশ বিব্রতকর পরিস্থিতির মুখে ছিলেন বর্ষীয়ান এই রাজনীতিবিদ। এর আগে রোববার অর্থ কেলেঙ্কারির অভিযোগে রেলের পূর্বাঞ্চলের মহাব্যবস্থাপক ইউসুফ আলী মৃধা ও রেলের নিরাপত্তা শাখার প্রধান কমান্ড্যান্ট এনামুল হককে সাময়িক বরখাস্ত করা হয়। রেলমন্ত্রীর এপিএস ওমর ফারুককেও অব্যাহতি দেয়া হয়।

এ ছাড়া রেলে সব ধরনের নিয়োগ স্থগিত করা হয়েছে। পদত্যাগের ঘোষণা দিয়ে রেলমন্ত্রী সুরঞ্জিত সেনগুপ্ত সংবাদ সম্মেলনে বলেন, সব সময় গণমাধ্যমের সঙ্গে আমার হৃদ্যতা ছিল। কখনও নিজেই সংবাদ সৃষ্টি করে সহযোগিতা করেছি। কখনও কখনও নিজেই সংবাদের শিরোনাম হয়েছি। আজ আবারও শিরোনাম হয়ে আপনাদের সহযোগিতা করলাম।

রেলের কর্মকর্তা কর্মচারীদের সহযোগিতার জন্য কৃতজ্ঞতা জানিয়ে সুরঞ্জিত সেনগুপ্ত বলেন, রেলের অধিকাংশ কর্মকর্তা কর্মচারি সৎ এবং নিরলস পরিশ্রম করেন। কতিপয় লোকের জন্য মন্ত্রণালয়ের বদনাম করা ঠিক নয়। তদন্তের অব্যাহত অগ্রগতির স্বার্থে যেমন রেলমন্ত্রীর পদ থেকে পদত্যাগের সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছি। তেমনি তদন্তের স্বার্থে তা শেষ না হওয়া পর্যন্ত এ বিষয়ে আমি কোন কথা বলবো না।
ঘটনার সঙ্গে তার কোন ধরনের সম্পৃক্ততা ছিল না দাবি করে তিনি বলেন, আমার বক্তব্য তদন্ত কাজে বিঘ্ন ঘটাবে তা আমি চাই না। আশা করি তদন্তের মাধ্যমে প্রকৃত সত্য উৎঘাটিত হবে। সত্য উৎঘাটিত হলে নিজেকে নির্দোষ প্রমাণ করে রাজনীতিতে আবারও সোচ্চার হতে পারবো। তিনি বলেন, গণমাধ্যম, সুশীল সমাজ ও বিরোধী দলের পক্ষ এই ঘটনার পর মন্ত্রণালয়ের মন্ত্রী থাকা সমীচীন নয় বলে অভিমত ব্যক্ত করেছেন। আমি তাদের মতামতের প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা জানিয়ে ঐতিহাসিক সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছি। উপস্থিত সংবাদ কর্মীদের উদ্দেশ্যে তার বক্তব্য শেষে বলেন, আজকে আমি কোন প্রশ্ন নেবো না কোন প্রশ্নের উত্তরও দেবো না। আপনাদের সকলের সহযোগিতা ও সহমর্মিতাই আমি কামনা করি। আপনাদের প্রতি আমি কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশ করছি। তিনি বলেন, শৈশব থেকেই চ্যালেঞ্জ সৃষ্টির রাজনীতি করে আসছি। দীর্ঘ পথ পরিক্রমায় নতুন মাত্রা যোগ করতে আমি অনেক নি:সঙ্গ সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছি। আজকে একটি সঙ্কটময় রাজনীতির মুহুর্তে আমি একটি দ্বন্ধের মুখোমুখি। আমার সামনে কঠিন পথ। যেনতেন প্রকার সকল আলোচনা সমালোচনাকে উপেক্ষা করে ক্ষমতায় আকড়ে থাকা অথবা দল, সরকার এবং সরকার প্রধানের ভাবমুর্তি উজ্জ্বল করার চ্যালেঞ্জ,নেয়া। দেশের প্রচলিত রাজনীতির বাইরে গিয়ে নতুন দৃষ্টান্ত স্থাপন করার সুযোগ সবার জীবনে আসে না। সুযোগের সৎব্যবহার করে ইতিহাস সৃষ্টি করার দুঃসাহস অনেকে দেখায় না। আমি ভেবে চিন্তে দ্বিতীয় পথ বেছে নেয়াকে সমীচীন মনে করেছি। আমি উচ্চ কণ্ঠে বলতে চাই দল, সরকার এবং দলের নেত্রীর আমি বোঝা হতে চাই না। আমি তাদের ভাবমুর্তি উজ্জ্বল হোক সেটাই চাই। সংবাদ সম্মেলনে রেল মন্ত্রণালয়ের সচিব ফজলে কবির ও রেলের মহাপরিচালক আবু তাহের উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

fahim_519

April 16th, 2012, 09:20 PM

SURANJIT RESIGNS TAKING BLAME
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Taking 'full responsibility' for the recent cash scandal involving one of his personal aides, railway minister Suranjit Sengupta stood down on Monday.

Suranjit, who took over the newly-craved ministry barely five months back, made the announcement at a press briefing at the capital's Rail Bhaban after days of drama and suspense.

He met prime minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban Sunday night, first time since the scandal surfaced.

"Even though I was not linked to the incident, I am resigning to strengthen democracy," he told the press conference.

The resignation letter will be sent to the prime minister later, the ruling Awami League's advisory council member told reporters.

He came under pressure after his assistant personal secretary (APS) Omar Faruq Talukder was detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh personnel in the early hours of Apr 10 with unaccounted-for Tk 7 million in the car carrying Faruq and two top railway officials.

The officials are Railway Division (east zone) Yusuf Ali Mridha and Government Railway Police (GRP) (Dhaka zone) commandant Enamul Haque.

Mridha and Enamul were temporarily suspended and Faruq was fired on Sunday.

The ministry has asked the Bangladesh Bank to freeze Faruq and his wife Marzia Farhana's bank accounts and to investigate their banking transactions.

Opposition BNP has been claiming that the minister is also linked to the scandal and called for his resignation. But, Suranjit had rejected the demand saying, "The opposition hasn't given me the post ... I won't leave the post on their demand."

But after he met party president Hasina on Sunday night at Ganabhaban, rumours were rife that he was going to step down. The gossips grew when he was absent in the regular Cabinet meeting on Monday morning.

Though his briefing was supposed to begin at 12pm, Suranjit arrived at Rail Bhaban after 12:30pm and came to the conference room a 1:45pm with railway director general Abu Taher and railway secretary Fazle Kabir after spending some time at his chamber.

"I won't say much today. I won't take any questions and won't answer any either," he said at the beginning of the 20-minute briefing.

He said, "The incident is fully my responsibility, it is neither my party's nor the government's. I met the prime minister last Sunday for about an hour after she returned home. I expressed my desire to her to resign and she agreed."

Explaining the situation, he said, "A new debate has risen over the incident of Apr 10. People are saying many things. As my APS and two railway officials were linked to the incident, this is a responsibility of my ministry."

A very depressed Suranjit, who has been in politics for over 50 years, told the media call, "Everyone has been benefitted in many ways in 40 years of independence of Bangladesh. But I'm feeling sad to say this that no one made sacrifices in those years."

"I'm facing a difficult test at the end of my life," he added.

Protesting his innocence, he said, "Most of the people barring some intellectuals and a couple of people in my party have asked me whether the investigation would be free of influence if I am in office. I have to take responsibility for this incident to strengthen democracy. Though I'm not linked, I've decided to resign."

However, he put this resignation 'just a break' in his journey in Bangladesh's politics.

"I'll prove my innocence and will be back in politics in a transparent manner," Suranjit said.

After the press briefing, Suranjit held his last meeting with top railway officials at Rail Bhaban's conference room on the sixth floor. He urged the officials to keep up the good work achieved in the last several months.

Suranjit then left the Rail Bhaban around 3pm in a black jeep.

Suranjit, who has been MP in most parliaments formed since independence, took oath as the railway minister on Nov 28 last year. This is the first time Suranjit became a minister. During Awami League's last tenure, he was Hasina's parliament affairs advisor.

He joined Awami League in the early 1990s. He was a member of the country's first committee to constitute the charter and co-chairman of the special committee on the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.

Suranjit was also the head of the parliamentary standing committee on the law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry until recently.