Three FIRs (first information report) of the cases have been sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission, another three would be sent very soon while the committee is reviewing the rest 15 cases.

Matin was talking to the journalists after emerging from a review meeting of annual development projects under Bangladesh Railway at Rail Bhaban yesterday.

The meeting that reviewed the progress of 29 development projects undertaken in 2006-07 fiscal year under the railway was told that on an average 44 per cent progress of those projects was achieved till March this year.

The progress rate in the corresponding period of the previous FY was 33 per cent, the meeting was told.

Bangladesh Railway budget for the current FY is Tk 654 crore -- Tk 614 crore being government allocation and rest 40 crore project aid, meeting sources said.

The adviser stressed the need for increasing efficiency of the services and attracting more people towards train journey to make Bangladesh Railway a profitable organisation.

The government is unlikely to increase the railway fare although fuel price went up several times since the rail fare was fixed in 1992, sources said.