'Develop railway through proper management'

The newly formed National Committee to Protect and Develop Railway and Waterways called on the government to improve the management of Bangladesh Railway instead of handing it over to the private sector.
They also called for establishing a separate ministry to handle the problem-ridden state-owned organisation.
Bangladesh Railway can be developed through improving its management instead of turning the organisation into a corporation or company, Prof Khan Sarwar Murshid, convener of the committee, said at a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium.
The committee also placed 29 recommendations to protect and develop rail and waterways.
Prof Murshid urged the government to form a board comprising members of the civil society, environmentalists and representatives from rail, water and road transport authorities to monitor the activities in the transport sector.
He said travelling by rail is cheaper and more comfortable than travelling by any other transport. Besides, railway saves fuel and does less damage to the environment.
He also observed that the condition of Bangladesh Railway worsened due to lack of proper planning.
"If we can develop Bangladesh Railway through a proper planning, it would become the most popular transport," Prof Murshid said.
The committee also called on the government to develop waterways through proper steps, including river dredging.
It urged the government to formulate strict laws to protect river water from pollution.
Joint conveners of the committee Justice Mohammad Gholam Rabbani, Prof AMM Safiullah and SM Shaheedullah and member-secretary Abu Naser Khan were present at the press briefing.