It is deeply concerning that the railway ministry’s Tk460 crore purchase of 20 sets of Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (Demu) passenger trains is failing to deliver promised improvements in speed and comfort for passengers.
A full year after the Demus were introduced, their reliability is still susceptible to frequent breakdowns and their ventilation systems are proving unfit for purpose.
Their lack of reliability and discomfort for passengers means these expensive new trains are mainly being used on unprofitable off-peak services, so they are not even bringing in new revenues to justify their purchase cost.
It is wholly unacceptable that more research was not carried out ahead of their purchase to anticipate problems and ensure their fitness.
Bangladesh Railways badly needs to improve its procurement policies and procedures. Action should be taken against any officials found to have been complicit in wasting taxpayer money through the apparent errors involved in this purchase.
This is not to say that the country does not need new investment to modernise and reinvigorate the railway network. The poor state of tracks and overcrowded older trains certainly need improving.
However, taxpayer monies must be spent efficiently and wisely.
With our small and largely flat land area, the railway system should be a national asset.
Having safe and reliable modern trains with higher average speeds would be hugely beneficial. By allowing people to commute longer distances, it would open up new economic opportunities by facilitating decentralisation.
Bangladesh Railways must invest more wisely to fulfill this vision in the national interest.
