Thaindian News

Dhaka, May 5 (IANS) Bangladesh is focusing on its rail network that was neglected since the British era. With major projects ahead, a separate division is being formed as part of the structural reforms.

The World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have agreed to provide $600 million in loan assistance for railway reforms on the condition that the organisation must turn into a profitable organisation and deliver improved services to passengers.

The Bangladesh Railway has a 2,835-km rail network connecting 44 districts with 440 stations and 286 locomotives.

Bangladesh is taking up projects with India that is on its eastern and western flanks and is seeking connectivity to its own northeastern region.

The communications ministry has now been divided into three divisions - Roads Division, Railway Division and Bridges Division.

Roads and Railway Division secretary Mozammel Haque told New Age that projects were already under way to lay out 500 km of rail tracks connecting, among others, districts such as Madaripur, Munshiganj, Barisal and Chittagong which would help to reduce pressure on roads.

“Forty-three projects are being implemented for the expansion and improvement of the railway,” the official said.

The projects include procurement of 46 locomotives to ensure smooth services to passengers, he added.

Fares and charges for goods transport would be increased, once the service improve, to stop the railway from incurring losses.

After assumption of office in 2009, the government led by the Awami League has so far approved 25 projects for the modernisation and expansion of railway.