The railway still remains in its early stage as the successive governments had always neglected this sector, they said.

Paribesh Bachao Andolon, Unnayan Dhara and WBB (Work for a Better Bangladesh) Trust jointly organised the roundtable titled 'Importance of railway sector as an environment-friendly, affordable and safe communications system' at the National Press Club in the city.

Citing a study, Convenor of Paribesh Bachao Andolon Abu Naser Khan said that 95 percent of people of low- and medium-income group travel in trains, but the quality of services provided by the railway is far less than satisfactory.

Only formulation of a comprehensive policy and its proper implementation can revive the image of railway as 'the cheapest and quickest means of travel', he added.

He also said that further investment coupled with efficient management can ensure quality service in this sector.

Speaking as the chief guest, Vice-President of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) Prof AMM Shafiullah said the government has a plan to shift Kamlapur Railway Station to the outskirts of the city. But the poor people would not benefit much from such move as the relocation of the station would lead to an increase in their travel cost.

Acting Editor of Shaptahik 2000 Golam Mortuza said unwarranted interference by some trade union leaders in railway affairs also contributed to the poor performance of the railway.

Head of Urban and Regional Planning Department at Buet Prof Rukhsana Hafiz, Prof KM Maniruzzaman, Prof Jubair Bin Alam and Sheikh Muhammad Shaihidullah, convenor of the National Committee for the Protection of Oil-Gas-Mineral Resources, Power and Port, also spoke.