Railway races to modernise
Bangladesh’s railway network is undergoing a major push for modernisation, with the government seeking to expand rail communication, improve passenger services and increase train speeds across the country.
But ageing tracks and bridges, obsolete locomotives, shortages of coaches and manpower, and persistent management problems continue to undermine the development of the country’s rail transport system.
The railway’s long-standing practice of operating trains according to schedule has virtually disappeared.
Although some locomotives and coaches are capable of speeds of up to 140 kmph, trains are currently running at an average speed of around 65 kmph.
The Ministry of Railways has recently expressed concern after monitoring train operations in different zones.
A number of projects involving the repair and renovation of ageing locomotives and coaches, along with railway infrastructure improvements, have been undertaken at a cost of around Tk 1,800 crore.
Officials of the planning department said train speeds could be restored to at least 100 kmph if the railway tracks, locomotives and coaches were properly renovated.
Initiatives have also been taken to reform level crossings and prevent illegal crossings.
According to officials, restoring train speeds would not only reduce journey times but also allow the railway to operate almost twice as many trains on existing routes.
Journey times remain far above targets
Railway data show that the distance between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar is about 480 km, with the train taking around 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete the journey.
The Dhaka-Panchagarh route covers about 639 km and is expected to take around 4 hours and 50 minutes.
In reality, however, journey times are considerably longer on several major routes. A train takes around nine hours to travel from Dhaka to Chattogram and about 12 hours to reach Panchagarh.
The average speeds of intercity, mail and commuter trains are also failing to meet expected standards, while punctuality has deteriorated sharply.
Railway officials acknowledge that there are significant challenges in implementing plans to increase train speeds.
Railway Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam told The New Nation that several projects were being undertaken to improve passenger safety and services, including measures to increase train speeds.
“Engines and coaches with a speed of 140 km cannot be run at the same speed,” he said, noting that deteriorated railway lines were one of the main obstacles to increasing speed.
He said restoring trains to full operating speed would boost passenger confidence and improve revenue, services and safety. “New high-speed engines and coaches are being purchased,” he said.
Delays become the norm
According to Railway Operations and Transport Department sources, Bangladesh Railway currently operates 285 passenger trains, including 120 intercity services. Only three are non-stop trains.
Officials involved in train operations said punctuality was one of the most important elements of passenger service, alongside service quality and safety.
But all three areas have suffered serious setbacks, with trains routinely running hours behind schedule.
There are also allegations that some railway officials collude with bus operators to delay trains. Freight train operations, meanwhile, are reported to be plagued by serious management irregularities.
Bangladesh Railway recorded a loss of around Tk 2,800 crore in the last financial year, further highlighting the financial and operational challenges facing the state-run service.
Dilapidated tracks slow trains
An official of the Railway Infrastructure Department said around 85 per cent of the railway routes were in poor condition.
Although allocations are made every year for ongoing repairs and renovation, officials alleged that much of the money is misappropriated.
There are also shortages of quality stone and manpower along many sections of the network.
Railway infrastructure, including sleepers, dog spikes, hooks and fishplates, is reported to be in poor condition at numerous locations.
Around 66 per cent of railway bridges are also considered obsolete. The Akhaura-Sylhet line is in particularly poor condition, with trains sometimes having to operate at only 5-10 per cent of normal speed.
The Joydevpur-Mymensingh and Bhairab-Kishoreganj routes have also remained in poor condition for decades, with accidents occurring frequently. Both authorised and unauthorised level crossings remain major safety hazards.
Ageing locomotives add to crisis
The Railway Rolling Stock Office says the country currently has 270 locomotives, of which around 77 per cent are outdated.
The previous Awami League government implemented railway development projects worth around Tk 1.1 lakh crore over nearly 16 years.
Railway experts, however, have alleged that large-scale irregularities and misappropriation undermined the benefits of much of the investment.
Eastern Railway Chief Commercial Officer Sujit Kumar Biswas told The New Nation that no train was currently operating at its designated speed.
“It is not possible to operate trains at speeds of 120 or 140 kmph at present,” he said, attributing the problem mainly to shortages of locomotives, coaches and manpower.
Western Railway Chief Commercial Officer Habibur Rahman said the locomotive shortage was becoming increasingly acute. Under such circumstances, he warned while talking to The New Nation, operating trains at high speeds could increase the risk of accidents.
Railway Additional Director General (Operation) Md Nazmul Hossain said increasing the speed of passenger trains was essential.
“There is no option but to increase the speed of passenger trains,” he said, adding that higher speeds were directly linked to increased railway revenue.
With the government seeking to expand and modernise rail communication across Bangladesh, officials say improving infrastructure, replacing ageing rolling stock, addressing manpower shortages and strengthening safety measures will be crucial to turning the railway into a faster, safer and more reliable mode of transport.
