Govt mulls commuter railway service to ease traffic jam

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain UNB, Dhaka

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain on Saturday said the government plans to connect Dhaka city with the adjacent districts through introducing commuter railway service to reduce the irritating traffic jam in the capital.

“We’ve a plan to introduce commuter railway service for connecting Dhaka with its adjacent districts to reduce the pressure of transports in the capital city,” he told reporters after signing of a railway rehabilitation agreement at Rail Bhaban in the city.

Bangladesh Railway signed the agreement with two contractors -- Encee Rail Linkers and Toma Construction -- for the rehabilitation of railway track from Fouzderhat to Chittagong Port Yard.

Bangladesh Railway Chief Engineer Nurul Mohammad and Toma Construction managing director Ataur Rahman signed the agreement for their respective in presence of the communications minister.

Under the agreement, a total of 37.50 kilometers railway track will be rehabilitated from Fouzderhat to Chittagong Port Yard at a cost of Tk 65.42 crore.

After the signing ceremony, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain said the rehabilitation of railway track from Fouzderhat to Chittagong Port Yard is very essential for carrying export items to the port.

He said they have emphasized to improve the country’s total railway system as the railway service is cheaper compared to other transports.

This was the 6th agreement signed during the short period of the present government to improve the country’s railway system, the minister said.

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