Modernise railway

Different civic organisations on Monday demanded the government modernise the country's railway, saying it has been ignored over the years despite being the best transport system in terms of economy, environment and mobility for people.
They suggested the government set up double rail tracks to avert frequent accidents, connect Dhaka with all the divisional and district towns with railway, reopen closed rail stations, increase wagons and coaches and develop the signaling system.
The recommendations came at a rally, jointly organised by Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba), Prottasha, Nirapad Development Foundation (NDF) and Work For Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, in front of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.
Speakers said railway is an old but very effective transport system, present in many countries as the main means of communication as it has limited risks of accidents and casualties, says a press release.
This was also the main transportation system in Bangladesh but negligence of policymakers turned it to a vulnerable mode of communication. Even the present government does not appear to have an appropriate policy and action plan. Subsequently, the railway is failing to serve the passengers, they said.
Referring to the recent train accident in Narsingdi, they said such accidents and casualties could be easily checked had there been double rail tracks.
In a double rail track system, two separate tracks are present so that two trains from opposite directions can pass each other on the same route and at the same time. This can also improve the signaling system, they observed.
Prottasha General Secretary Helal Ahmed chaired the rally while NDF Chairman Ibnul Sayeed, Poba Joint Secretary Shakibuzzaman, journalist Mashiur Rahman Rubel, WBB Trust Project Coordinator Aminul Islam spoke at the programme.