It is good to note that the government has embarked on a master plan to bring 64 districts of the country under rail connectivity. Reportedly, the government would implement 230 projects in six phases at a cost of Tk 5, 53,662 crore to bring 64 districts under railway network by 2045. Among the projects the construction of 172km Padma Rail Link project is going on in full swing. Also the budget will be used for the construction of bullet train, Akhaura-Sylhet dual gauge rail line and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge.
It is important to note that Bangladesh Railway has been providing the services with a network which is not suitable for and oriented to the traffic requirements of the country. The railway network, inherited from British Indian railways, received a relatively meagre allocation of resources in the past decades comparing to the road sector.
In fact none of the previous governments of Bangladesh took any initiative for the expansion of rail network in the country. But in a land scare country like Bangladesh, such an emphasis on the road sector will not be sustainable in the long-term. A high capacity, efficient and environmentally sound transport system is required and this is where rail network can play a huge role. There is a need for a paradigm shift from continued investment in the road sector, to developing the railway network and improving its level of services.
There is a need for a paradigm shift from
continued investment in the road
sector, to developing the railway
network and improving its level of services
In order to give the desired shape to the aforementioned projects, the entire process requires concerted efforts and goodwill from all the stakeholders and authorities concerned.
It needs no emphasizing that once the projects are completed, there will be drastic change in the country’s communication and transportation sector. By bringing the entire country under an efficient rail network, we can spur our economic growth, create new jobs, fuel our tourism industry and avert unwanted road accidents. But, one thing should be kept in mind that the service must be affordable for the masses so that people from every walk of life can enjoy the privilege.