The government is attaching top priority to the railway sector in order to make the country's railways economically competitive, safe, and an environment-friendly mode of transport.
In an effort to develop the railway sector, the government has undertaken a 30-year master plan_ spanning from 2016 to 2045 at a cost of Tk5,53,662 crore.
As many as 230 projects have been identified under the plan for implementation by 2045.
“I express my firm belief that implementation of the projects being undertaken to develop the country's railway system will transform public transport, reduce transport costs, expand business and commerce, create jobs and improve the socio-economic condition of the people,” reads the budget speech for fiscal year 2019-20, placed in the parliament by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Thursday.
Activities, such as expansion of the railway network, construction of new railway lines and repair of rail tracks, conversion of rail lines into dual gauge, opening of new rail stations and re-opening of closed stations, launching of new trains, improving the quality of railway services, and procurement of coaches are underway.
Additionally, steps have been taken to construct 1,110.50 km dual gauge double rail track and 52 new rail tracks, procure 100 locomotives, construct two ICDs, procure locomotive simulators, construct three major bridges, procure 1,120 passenger coaches, modernize/construct three railway workshops, and upgrade and improve the signaling system under various development projects.
The introduction of e-ticketing has not only eased railway travel, but also made it possible for travellers to learn the location of trains.
A feasibility study to construct the proposed Dhaka-Chittagong high speed train services is well underway.
A railway system improved by infrastructure investments and reforms will help shift freight traffic back to rail, reducing transport costs and helping to increase economic growth and social welfare, the minister said.
