2.4 Bangladesh Railway Assessment
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2.4 Bangladesh Railway Assessment
Overview
Bangladesh Railway at a Glance
Development Progress of BR
Performance and Constraints of BR
Security Arrangements of BR
International Corridors Leading to Bangladesh
Bangladesh Railway Assessment
Page 1
Page 2
Overview
Bangladesh Railway (BR), the state-run transportation agency of the country, who is responsible for operating and maintenance of 2877.10 Km railway
line. For smooth operations the Railway network is divided into 2 regions, Eastern and Western. Bangladesh Railway (BR) operates and maintains the
entire railway network of the country. BR is headed by the Directorate General of Bangladesh Railway under the Ministry of Railways along with
Bangladesh Railway Authority (BRA) which works for policy guidance of BR. To upgrade the services of BR, Railway ministry has newly been established
as an independent ministry in 2011 separating it from previous Ministry of Communications.
Railway connected almost all important places of 44 civil districts and plays important role in the economy. It operates Total 348 Passenger trains and 6
Container trains & 20-25 goods trains daily. Besides, it operates the largest Inland Container Depot with capacity of 90,000 TEUs. BR network was initially
North-South connection based because of riverine land script. Establishment of new East-West connections and missing links and revival of old and
abandon tracks are the key areas of interventions.
Rehabilitation of existing railway lines, modernization of signaling system and acquisition of new rolling stocks to improve the performance and to cop up
with the upcoming new situation linking the network with the Trans Asian Railway are the important challenges in front of BR. Apart from these, reducing
operational bottlenecks by double tracking all major railway corridors and harmonization of railway tracks by phases, institutional reform, pragmatic role in
easing traffic congestion by improving commuter train service in Dhaka and Chattogram cities, proper use of land and other assets, introducing more
Public Private Partnership (PPP) in railway sub-sector are important challenges in front of BR.
Key features of BR are the coexistence of several gauges, Broad gauge, Meter gauge and Dual gauge, and the separation of the system by the Jamuna
River (Brahmaputra) into a Western and Eastern Zone of operations with only one bridge, the 2003 Jamuna Bridge, connecting the two zones.
Bangladesh Railway operates international, inter-city and suburban rail systems on its multi-gauge network. It also owns coach production facilities. BR is
divided into two zones, East & West, each under control of a general manager who is accountable to the Director General of Bangladesh Railway. The two
zones have their separate departments for operations, maintenance, and finances. Each zone is divided into two divisions that contain departments of HR,
Transportation, Commercial, Finance Mechanical, Way and Works Signaling & Telecommunication, Electrical, Medical, etc. Each zone also has its
Workshop Divisions, located at Pahartali and Saidpur, respectively. A locomotive workshop is located at Parbatipur for Broad and Meter gauge
locomotives.
BR manages its own Railway Training Academy. A separate Directorate under the Ministry of Railways is charged to inspect and ensure different works of
BR in relation to safety and Security. For further details please follow https://railway.portal.gov.bd/.
Bangladesh Railway at a Glance
Total Length Railway Line (km) 2,877.10 Total stations 460
Broad Gauge (km) 659.33 Total locomotives 286
Meter Gauge (km) 1,808.05 Total coaches 1507
Dual Gauge (km) 409.72 Total wagons 10,226
Railway Bridges 3650 Mail, Express, Commuter & Demu 132
Track Kilometres 4,093.15 Intercity trains 86
Number of passenger trains daily 341 Maitree Express (Dhaka-Kolkata) and Bondhon Express (Khulna-Kolkata) 05
Number of freight trains daily 37 Local mixed 126
Yearly operating revenue (million BDT) 11,000 Approved Manpower 40,264
Yearly Passengers carried (millions) 70 Yearly Passenger-Kilometres (million) 9,000
BR Network by Corridor
Bangladesh Railway has documented a Master Plan which is aimed to implement by 2045 and this is prepared in conformity to the 7th 5-year plan, vision
2021 1nd 2014. In that plan the Railway network has been organized by key corridors which are listed below:
Corridor Dhaka - Chattogram - Cox's Bazar - Deep sea port
1
Corridor Chilahati - Ishurdi- Khulna – Mongla
2
Page 3
Corridor Dhaka - Bangabandhu Bridge - Darsana/Benapole
3
Corridor Dhaka - Bangabandhu Bridge - Rajshahi – Rohanpur
4A
4B Dhaka - Bangabandhu Bridge - Ishurdi - Parbatipur-Chilahati/Birol
Corridor Dhaka - Sylhet/Shahbazpur
5
Corridor Dhaka - Bangabandhu Bridge- Sirajganj / Roypur (Jamtoil) - Burimari
6
Corridor Dhaka - Mawa - Bhanga - Jashore - Khulna – Mongla
7A
7B Dhaka - Mawa - Bhanga - Jashore – Benapole
7C Dhaka - Mawa - Bhanga – Barishal
7D Dhaka - Mawa - Bhanga - Kashiani - Gopalganj - Tungipara
Corridor Dhaka - Mymensingh - Jamalpur - Tarakandi- Bangabandhu Bridge
8A
8B Dhaka - Bhairab Bazar – Mymensingh
Corridor Dhaka - Mawa -Jajira-Rajbari-Moukuri (Mizanpur) - Bara Durgapur
9A (Khas Char) - Pabna – Ishurai
9B Dhaka - Paturia - Douladia - Moukuri (Mizanpur) - Bara Durgapur
(Khas Char) - Pabna – Ishurdi.
Services of BR
Bangladesh Railway provides various types of services ranging from shuttle for university students to freight and cargo service. Following are the important
services of BR:
Passenger Service
Bangladesh Railway is the principal mode of transportation in the country. With the development of road transport facilities there has been a shift in the
trend of passenger traffic with short distance passengers preferring road transport, because of their frequent and point to point services. During 2014-2015,
about 67 million passengers were transported by Bangladesh Railway against about 65 million during 2013-2014. In order to render better services to the
passengers, BR introduced inter-city train services in 1985. At present there are 88 inter-city trains running. Around 40.9% of the total passengers of BR
are being carried by the inter-city trains which contribute approximately 83.6 % of the total earning of passenger traffic. To attract the passengers and
improve the overall standard of services, BR has introduced different online services along with other developments. At present following services are
available on line:
Online (Internet) Railway E-Ticketing Service
Train Tracking Monitoring System
Train Information display System
Ticket buy/booking through SMS
Computer Ticketing & Seat Reservation System
Maitree and Bondhon Express
The Maitree and Bondhon Express are international trains. Maitree Express has been in operation since 2008 linking Dhaka and Kolkata, India while
Bondhon Express has linked linking Khulna and Kolkata since 2018.
Freight and Cargo services
The railway has been facing tough competition with other modes of transport for the high rated traffic, which pay more revenue. On the other hand, the
railway is called upon to carry traditional low rated essentials. As a national carrier, BR has an obligation to carry essential commodities like food grains,
fertilizer, jute, cement, coal, iron and steel, stone & boulders, petroleum products, salt, sugar etc. to the remote corners of the country at a cheaper rate.
BR has experienced negative growth in freight traffic in last few decades due to poor services and facilities and dramatic developments in road and river
transportation routes. At present the BR has following different types of wagons for carrying freight:
Bogie Cover Wagon (each 34 MT capacity) 250/500
BFCT 450/900
Page 4BKh/Hooper 100/200
BKC 120/240
Each train can carry 31/62 Containers.
Each train carries 30/60 Racks with a total capacity of 1050 MT.
Bangladesh Railway transports containers from Chattogram to Dhaka. Special type flat wagons required for container movement were initially arranged by
converting some existing wagons. Subsequently 80 bogie container flats were procured from China and another 100 bogie container flats were procured
from India. An Inland Container Depot has been opened at Dhaka with custom and port facilities for clearance of container traffic. Exclusive container
trains were introduced on 5 August 1991. Since then, volume of container traffic gained a momentum but BR is yet to catch up with road and water
transportation facilities.
At present there is only one Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Kamlapur, Dhaka which is connected by Rail, which is insufficient to carry future loads. At
present approximately 75-80 thousand containers are being handled by BR between CPA and ICD Kamlapur. Another ICD is under process of
establishment at Dhirasram, north of Tongi and just south of Joydevpur. It will be 264 km only from Chattogram, whereas distance of Kamlapur is 321 km
from Chattogram. It is expected that Dhirasram ICD will be able handle 500,000 TEU yearly. Pangaon river port / ICD is running with minimum capacity
being underutilized as it is used by few inland ships only who carry containers from Chattogram to Pangaon, but once Padma Bridge is operational, this
ICD will be connected by rail and it will be a hub between Dhaka and South Bengal and India through Benapole Land Port.
Container holding capacity 4067 TEUs
Yard area 1 36 954 Sq. m
Container Freight Stations (CFS) 8000 Sq. m
Weighbridge 2 in Two gates
Equipment Reach Stackers-2 (45 MT), Forklifts-4 (42 MT), Reach Stacker-1 (7 MT), Low Mast Forklift-6 (3 MT), Tractor
Trailors-8.
Wagons for container 550
transportation
Railway terminal (Length of two 1097 m
tracks)
Fire brigade 1 Unit
List of Officers
Name Designation Phone No. Email
Md. Shamsuzzaman Director General 9561200 dg@railway.gov.bd
Nasir Uddin Ahmed General Manager (East) 843200 gme@railway.gov.bd
Khandker Shahidul Islam General Manager (West) 761576 gmw@railway.gov.bd
Md. Anowarul Hoque Addl. Director General (Infra) 9562051 adgi@railway.gov.bd
Syed Faruk Ahmed Addl. Director General (RS) 9563450 adgrs@railway.gov.bd
Md. Miah Jahan Addl. Director General (OP) 9562030 adgop@railway.gov.bd
Chandan Kanti Das Addl. Director General (M & CP) 9563539 adgmncp@railway.gov.bd
Md. Johurul Islam Addl. Director General (Finance) 9562047 adgf@railway.gov.bd
Dr. Luthfunnahar Begum Chief Medical Officer (East) 843165 cmoe@railway.gov.bd
S.A.M. Imtiaz Babul Chief Medical Officer (West) 776379 cmow@railway.gov.bd
Md. Mizanur Rahman Chief Mechanical Engineer (East) 843154 cmee@railway.gov.bd
Mrinal Kanti Banik Chief Mechanical Engineer (West) 761948 cmew@railway.gov.bd
S. M. Murad Hossain Chief Commercial Manager (East) 2863191 ccme@railway.gov.bd
Farid Ahmed Controller of Stores 843135 cose@railway.gov.bd
F.M. Mahiuddin Divisional Superintendent (Workshop) 2566253 dswpht@railway.gov.bd
Md. Burhan Uddin Divisional Railway Manager, Chattogram 843182 drmctg@railway.gov.bd
Page 5A Am Salah Uddin Divisional Railway Manager, Dhaka 9330522 drmda@railway.gov.bd
A.M.M. Shahnewaj Chief Commercial Manager (West) 761091 ccmw@railway.gov.bd
Md. Shahidul Islam Chief Personnel Officer (West) 760594 cpow@railway.gov.bd
Md. Ahsan Ullah Bhyuain Divisional Railway Manager, Paksey 63496 drmpxc@railway.gov.bd
Md Shofiqur Rahman Divisional Railway Manager, Lalmonirhat 61353 drmlmh@railway.gov.bd
Md. Joidul Islam Divisional Superintendent, Saidpur 2136 dswsdp@railway.gov.bd
Station Managers
Station Phone No. Station Phone No
Station Manager - Dhaka 01711691612 Divisional Railway Manager - Dhaka 01711506137
Station Manager - Chattogram 01711691550 Divisional Railway Manager - Chattogram 01711506138
Station Manager - Sylhet 01711691656 Divisional Railway Manager - Paksey 01711506130
Station Superintendent - Rajshahi 01711622728 Divisional Railway Manager - Lalmonirhat 01711506136
Area Operating Manager - ICD / Dhaka 01711691628
Contact Information of Important Railway Stations
Station Name Phone Station Name Phone Station Name Phone
Dhaka 02 – 9358634 Potia 03035 – 56528 Joypurhat 0571 – 62304
02 - 8315857
Tejgaon 02 - 9112007 Hathazari 03023 - 2601061 Bogura 051 – 65042
Dhaka Cantonment 02 - 9860761 Shayestaganj 0831 – 56646 Bonarpara 05750 – 64018
Dhaka Airport 02 - 8924239 Sreemangal 08626 – 71350 Gaibandha 05750 – 61338
Tongi 02 - 9801058 Kulaura 08624 – 56004 Rangpur 0521 – 63006
Ghorashal 06254 - 74206 Sylhet 0821 - 716061, Kurigram 0 581 – 61366
0821 – 713990
Jinardi 30250 - 62046 Habiganj 0831 – 52260 Thakurgaon 0561 – 52097
Bhairab Bazar 9424 - 71477 Kishoreganj 0941 – 55245 Nilphamari 0551 – 61229
Brahmanbaria 0851 - 52006 Mymensingh 091 – 55700 Saidpur 05526 – 2104
091 - 55667
Ashugonj 08528 - 74221 Jamalpur 0981 – 63040 Kushtia 071 – 53058
Narsingdi 0628 - 62046 Rajshahi 0721 - 774043 0721 – 776040 Kushtia Court 071 – 53065
Akhaura 08522 - 56012 Chapai Nawabganj 0781 – 55205 Rajbari 0641 – 65223
Cumilla 081 - 76358, 081 - 76353 Rohanpur 07823 – 74013 Jashore 0421 – 65019
Chandpur 0841 - 63255 Rajshahi court 0721 – 774122 Benapole 04228 – 75501
Feni 0331 - 74875 Natore 0771 – 66923 Khulna 041 – 760691
Chattogram 031 - 635162, 031 - 616366
Main stations / gauge
Page 6Eastern Zone Western Zone
Khulna Broad gauge Birampur Dhaka Komlapur Dual gauge
Daulotpur Phulbari Dhaka Airport
Phultala Parbotipur Jn Dhaka Cantonment
Noapara Dinajpur Tongi Junction Dual Gauge
Jashore Jn Broad guage Panchogorh Joydevpur Junction Dual gauge
Kotchandpur Syedpur Tangail Dual gauge
Darshana Broad gauge Nilphamari Bongobondhu Setu East Dual gauge
Alamdanga Domar Mymenshingh
Cuadanaga Chilahati Jamalpur Junction
Poradoho Jn Broad gauge Rangpur Jogonnatgonj Ghat
Mirpur Kaunia Jn Dewangonj
Bheramara Lalmonirhat Bahadurabad
Pakshi Peergacha Kishorgonj
Ishawrdi jn Broad gauge Bamondanga Mohongonj
Ishawardi Bypass Dual gauge Gaibandha Chattogram Meter gauge
Abdulpur Junction Dual Gauge Bonarpara Sylhet
Rajshahi Bogura Akhaura Junction Meter auge
Amnura Junction Chatmohor B.Baria Junction
Capainababgoinj Ullapara Cumilla
Natore Jamtoil Luksam Junction
Madhnagar Sirajgonj Bazar Nagolkot
Ahsangonj Sd Monsur Ali Hassanpur
Shantahar Dual Gauge Bongobondhu Setu West Feni
Akkelpur Sitakundo
Joypurhat Pahartali
Pacbibi Bottali
Hili Norosingdi
Development Progress of BR
Since 2009, Bangladesh Railway has newly constructed 330.15 km of rail lines, 91 station buildings, 295 bridges and converted 248.50 km railway tracks
into dual gauge tracks. Furthermore, 1,335.23 km railway track, 644 bridges, 177 station buildings, 430 passenger coaches, 277 wagons have been
rehabilitated. To address the shortage of rolling stocks, 20 MG locomotives, 26 BG locomotives, 270 passenger coaches and 20 sets DEMU, 165 BG and
81 MG tank wagons, 270 Flat wagons and 30 Brake vans have been procured.
BR has started to construct double line in the important corridor of Dhaka-Chattogram which is 321 km, of which 118 km is double line.
The government has taken various projects for construction of the broad-gauge double line and for conversion of the meter gauge rail line to dual gauge
line under the 1st, 2nd and 3rd LoC (Indian Line of Credit). Besides, two projects for construction of dual gauge rail line parallel to the exting dual gauge
line of Ishurdi-Joydebpur section and dual gauge line parallel to existing meter gauge line of Joydevpur-Mymensing-Jamalpur Section have been finalised
with the financing of Chinese government.
Page 7Furthermore, as a part of long-term planning, BR has prepared a Railway Master Plan with the grant assistance of ADB. The updated Railway Master Plan
has been approved by government in January 2018. A total of 230 projects at the cost of BDT.5,53,662 crore have been included in the newly approved
Railway Master Plan to be implemented in six phases over the period spanning from July 2016 to June 2045. Some of the High Prioritised Projects of BR
are shown below:
Sl Project Name Project Cost Phase
(BDT) Period
1. Bangabandhu Railway Bridge Construction 9740 2018-2020
2. Construction of Rail Line from Bhanga Junction (Faridpur) to Payra Port Via Barisal 28335 2018-2020
3. Construction of Akhaura-Agartala Dual gauge railway link 478 2018-2020
4. Conversion of existing MG track to DG track between Akhaura-Sylhet 8619 2018-2020
5. Construction of DG Rail Link from Bogura to Shaheed Monsur Ali Station 6607 2018-2020
6. Construction of double line between Joydebpur and Ishurdi section of BR 7698 2018-2020
7. Construction of a Dual Gauge Rail Line Parallel to the Existing Meter Gauge in Joydebpur- Maymensingh-Jamalpur Section. 7698 0218-2020
8. Modernization of Parbatipur Central Locomotive Workshop 770 2018-2020
9. Construction of new locomotive workshop at Narayanganj 770 2018-2020
10. Construction of Repair & Maintenance Workshop for DEMU at Narayanganj 963 2018-2020
11. Reconstruction of Diesel Loco sheds (09 total) including Equipment upgrade and DG Conversion 3500 2018-2020
12. Construction of a new Inland Container Depot (ICD) near Dhirasram railway station 1640 2018-2020
13. Rehabilitation of Jashore-Benapole rail line 1502 2018-2020
14. Procurement of 40 Broad Gauge Locomotives 2070 2018-2020
15. Procurement of 400 MG & 300 nos BG covered vans (BC) and 180 MG & 120 BG Bogie Open Wagons (BKC) for BR 1140 2018-2020
16. Construction of overpass/flyover in Narayanganj - Joydebpur section of Bangladesh Railway 591 2021-2025
Page 817. Construction of Dhaka- Chattogram High Speed Railway 30995 2021-2025
18. Conversion of existing Metre Gauge double line to Dual Gauge double line between Tongi – Bhairab. 6233 2021-2025
19. Construction of Chattogram CGPY Inter-Modal Terminal 1200 2021-2025
20. Conversion of Metre Gauge double line into Dual Gauge double line between Bhairab Bazar and Akhaura including 3214 2021-2025
rebuilding of existing Bhairab and Titas Bridge
Ongoing Projects of BR
After inclusion of railway tracks over the Bangabandhu Bridge, a railway link between East and West Zone has been established. The Government,
underscoring the need for railway communication, attaches topmost priority to railway amongst all the surface mode of transports in Vision-2021. A good
number of new projects have been approved for the improvement of railway. The projects have already been taken in hand for expansion, upgradation,
renovation, conversion and modernisation of railway network. Moreover, rail line rehabilitation, construction of a new ICD at Dhirasram, modernization of
Saidpur workshop, modernization of stations, procurement of relief cranes, establishment of load monitoring device in Bangabandhu bridge and on
different important places have been undertaken against approved projects. To meet the expectation of the stakeholders necessary steps have been taken
for doubling Dhaka- Chattogram railway corridor and introduction of rail communication over the Padma Bridge. Bangladesh signed the “Intergovernmental
Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) Network”. Steps have been taken to establish Trans-Asian Railway Network and Regional/sub-regional
connectivity in Bangladesh. Moreover, to meet the traffic demand New Express connections have been introduced.
The Government is committed to transform BR into a feasible and market oriented organization with managerial, financial and administrative autonomy to
meet its objectives. To prepare this ground, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported a Technical Assistance Project which consisted of three
phases. Few of the ongoing projects are shown below:
Construction of the single line on the Dual gauge track from Duhazari to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gundum of Myanmar (to be
completed by 2022).
Construction of railway line from Khulna to Mongla Port (To be completed by 2020).
Renovation Work of Bangladesh Railway Kulaura-Shahbazpur sections (To be completed by 2030).
Collection of 70-meter gauge diesel electric locomotive for Bangladesh Railway (by 2024).
Construction of dual gauge double Line (1st Amendment) in the 3rd and 4th dual gauge line of Dhaka-Tongi section of Bangladesh Railway and
Tongi-Jaydebpur sections. (To be completed by 2019).
Construction of the double railway line from Akhaura to Laksam and the conversion of existing rail lines into Dual Gauge (To be completed by
2020).
Construction of a Dual Gauge rail line parallel to the existing Meter gauge rail lines in Dhaka-Narayanganj section (To be completed by 2020).
Rehabilitation and quality improvement of the level crossing gates of the eastern part of Bangladesh Railway (1st Amendment). (To be completed
by 2020).
Rehabilitation and quality improvement of the level crossing gates of the western region of Bangladesh Railways. (To be completed by 2020).
Collection of Meter gauge and Broad-gauge passenger carriage for Bangladesh Railway (To be completed by 2030).
Collection of locomotives, relief cranes and locomotive simulators for Bangladesh Railway (To be completed by 2020).
Establishment of Padma Bridge Rail Link (1st Amendment) (To be completed by 2024).
200 Meter gauge passenger carriage collection for Bangladesh Railway (To be completed by 2020).
Construction of Akhaura-Agartala dual gauge Rail Link (Bangladesh part) (To be completed by 2020).
Renovation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib railway Bridge (To be completed by 2020).
Collection of 20 Meter gauge locomotive and 150 Meter gauge passenger carriage for Bangladesh Railway (To be completed by 2021).
Feasibility review Programme for construction of Circular railway around Dhaka city (To be completed by 2019).
Conversion of Meter gauge into Dual Gauge line from Parbatipur to Kownia (To be completed by 2022).
Feasibility review of important Western projects (To be completed by 2030).
Construction of the Broad-gauge Railway from Madhukhali to Magura city via Kamerkhali (To be completed by 2022).
Development of rolling stock operations of Bangladesh Railways (rolling stock collection) (To be completed by 2021).
Construction of double line railway at Khulna junction of Bangladesh Railway (To be completed by 2022).
Rail line renovation and construction including signalling for Rooppur nuclear power plant.
Construction of Broad-gauge railway between Chilahati and Chilahati border with India is aimed at establishing rail connectivity. (To be completed
by 2021).
Construction of new Dual gauge railway station at Bogura to memoir Shaheed M Mansur Ali (To be completed by 2023).
Construction of double line from Joydebpur to Ishhurdi (To be completed by 2024).
Feasibility review and detailed design for the railway connection at Sunamganj District headquarter (To be completed by 2020).
Conversion of the Meter gauge railway line of the Akhaura-Sylhet segment into dual gauge (To be completed by 2025).
Construction of High-speed train line between Dhaka and Chattogram.
Development as per Master Plan
Phase No of Projects Project Value Remarks
(In USD millions)
Completed Projects 25 513.97
2010-2015 (Existing MP)
Ongoing Projects 36 1644.23 Investment Project-29 Ta Projects-07 (24.81)
2016-2020 (Existing MP)
Phase-I: 2016-2020 76 18696.12 20 Nos Gauge Conversion Projects
Page 939 Nos Rs Related Projects
Phase-Ii: 2021-2025 63 14946.62
Phase-Iii: 2026-2030 30 10744.50
Phase-Iv: 2031-2035 22 12068.85
Phase-V: 2036-2040 12 10300.75
Phase-Vi: 2041-2045 4 1365.00
Performance and Constraints of BR
Performance of BR
Fiscal Passenger Km Freight Ton Km Total operating revenue (BDT. in Total operating expense (BDT. in
Year (Million) (Million) crore) crore)
2009-10 7305.00 710.00 673.16 1257.20
2010-11 8051.92 692.64 747.70 1491.82
2011-12 8787.23 582.11 726.42 1567.12
2012-13 8253.00 525.00 804.26 1562.38
2013-14 8135.00 677.35 800.17 1601.69
2014-15 8711.36 693.84 935.45 1808.29
2015-16 9167.18 675.09 904.02 2229.22
2016-17 10040.66 1052.67 130.37 2835.52
2017-18* 10040.66 1052.67 130.37 2835.52
Constraints of BR
Major constraints in rail connectivity are the lack of connectivity between the rail networks, including differences of the rail gauges and incompatibilities in
rolling stock. A through link is not available between the main part of India and the north-east states through Bangladesh. India has a three gauge system
while Bangladesh has broad gauge and meter gauge (MG) with some dual gauge in the west and MG only in the east. India adopts air-braked rolling stock
whereas Bangladesh adopts vacuum based with some air-braked. The key issue is overall deteriorated conditions of rail networks, especially in eastern
India and Bangladesh.
The rail network has been neglected for a long time without adequate budget to provide for much needed maintenance and/or improvement. As a result,
the infrastructure is generally in poor condition with a number of inadequacies, such as short loop lengths, marshalling yard lines and terminals restricting
the ability of locomotives to haul full train loads. Mechanical signaling and track structures further restrict freight train speeds. Apart from about 900 km of
main line, lines and crossing loops are in bad condition leading to frequent derailments.
The funding constraints are further compounded with Bangladesh Railways (BR) required to operate extensive passenger services at low fares. This
results in insufficient revenue to justify investment, despite the high passenger demand. The priority given to passenger trains also causes delays to freight
trains and reduces their competitiveness. This is a particular problem where lines are single track.
The funding problems have been recognized by the Government and in the Bangladesh Railway Investment Program 2007–13 the main agreed projects
are duplication of the Tongi-Bharaib Bazaar section, rehabilitation of rail lines, remodeling/rehabilitation of railway stations, signaling and procurement of
locomotives and carriages/wagons. In addition, both ADB and the World Bank have assistance programs aimed at improving track and wagon
maintenance.
BR rolling stock is poorly maintained and most is overdue for repair or beyond its economic life. BR policy is to move towards air-braked stock, but a
considerable amount of unbraked rolling stock remains and this can only be hauled at a slow speed, dramatically reducing effective track capacity. The
amount of unbraked stock also limits the number of trains that can use the Jamuna Bridge. Theft of brake blocks and other equipment thwarts attempts to
upgrade stock and the generally poor condition of the rolling stock restricts possible train speeds.
While some locomotives are fitted to haul both vacuum and air-braked stock, unavailability of suitable locomotives at Darsana and Benapole has been
cited as a reason for limiting the types of wagons used on the international route to vacuum-braked stock. The average turnaround time for Indian wagons
bringing goods into Bangladesh is five to six days for an average movement of only 70 km. The turnaround time is considered excessive for this relatively
short movement and a source of friction with Indian Railways.
A new dual gauge link between Ishurdi Junction and Dhaka Cantonment station provides a broad gauge (BG) link with India from the outskirts of Dhaka,
but restrictions imposed by the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Authority (JMBA) to prevent the movement of Indian BG wagons over this bridge. Re-rating
the bridge, possibly involving bridge strengthening, is being investigated by ADB but the cost of such strengthening is expected to be quite high. Other
options including weighbridges to ensure wagons are within allowable limits have so far been rejected by JMBA.
The route between India through to Myanmar and its northeastern states could be shortened if movement through Bangladesh was negotiated
satisfactorily. The main route would be from Darsana to Akhaura or Shahbazpur via Ishurdi and Tongi junction. However, there would need to be the
transshipment for freight between BG and MG at some point between Ishurdi and Tongi. However, it is recognized that both countries do not consider such
a through route as a priority.
Page 10Security Arrangements of BR
To ensure the property of Bangladesh Railway and to ensure safety and security of the passengers and freight different measures have been adopted.
They are:
Government Railway Police (GRP)
Prevention and detection of crime committed against passengers traveling by train and their properties and also maintenance of law and order in the
Railway premises are the direct responsibilities of the Railway Police working under the control of National Police Headquarters as well as Ministry of
Home Affairs. The general duties of the staff and jurisdiction of Railway Police have been enumerated in the Police Regulation of Bengal 1943. Their
duties are:
Control of passenger traffic inside the station premises more particularly on the platforms, in the booking office, waiting halls at the entrance and
exit gates and wherever specially required on emergency by the station officials.
The control of vehicular and other traffic in the station compound.
The maintenance of law and order at stations and in standing passengers’ trains, prevention of over crowding
Watching loaded passenger trains when standing in the station.
The arrest of those found committing nuisances or suffering from infectious disease and keeping the station premises clear of idlers and beggars.
The examination of all empty carriages on arrival at terminal station for property left behind by passengers and to see that carriage fittings have
not been tampered with:
The removal of bodies and persons dying in the train and on station premises and the conveyance to hospital of the sick people.
Investigation into cognizable offences committed with railway limits and prevention of the same.
The arrest offenders in cognizable cases and detention of them in custody as well as persons arrested by Railway Officers and made over to the
police, and their production before the Magistrate.
The reporting of non-cognizable case or infringement of bye-laws of the line to proper authorities as also all instances of oppression or fraud on
the part of Railway sub-ordinates or others.
The prosecution of cognizable case as well as non-cognizable cases under Railway act, 1890 on behalf of the management.
Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB)
Railway Nirapatta Bahini is guided by RNB Ordinance-1976 under the railway administration. The responsibility of providing security to the Railway men,
Railway properties and the properties entrusted to it for carrying falls under the duties of Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) Railway Nirapatta Bahini is
responsible for:
Prevention and detection of crime on the Railway.
Protection and safeguarding the Railway properties.
Removing any obstruction in the movement of Railway, its properties and the properties entrusted to it for carriage.
Escorting of cash movement and protecting pay officers of the railway.
Providing security to the goods trains and luggage & Parcel vans of passenger trains.
Assisting during Block Check and mobile Court.
Eviction of unauthorized occupants in the railway premises, under command of Railway Estate officer/Magistrate.
International Corridors Leading to Bangladesh
Overview
Bangladesh has the potential to become a transport and transshipment center for the sub-region. It borders India and Myanmar and is geographically close
to Bhutan, Nepal, and Kunming—the key transportation hub in southwest People’s Republic of China (PRC). With the opening of the Payra Sea port and
Padma Bridge, the Dhaka–Chattogram, Dhaka-Mongla and Dkaka-Payra transport corridor and other strategic transport corridors will facilitate trade of
Bangladesh India, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal including other countries in Asia, thereby attracting more foreign and domestic traffic to the country.
South Asia is the least integrated region and the cost of trading across borders is one of the highest in the world. Co-operation with its neighboring
countries offers benefits to Bangladeshi owned road, rail and water transport services and port services. Opening up Chattogram or Mongla Port will earn
huge revenue for Bangladesh. Similarly, such benefits could be realized if the Government offer Bhutan, Nepal and the North-East India states, the
opportunity to transit through Bangladesh to reach the heartland of India, in exchange for the right of Bangladeshi truck and river vessel operators and
Bangladesh Railways to share in this traffic.
Integrating the transport network of South Asia is important to Nepal, Bhutan, and regions such as northeast India as it will end their landlocked or semi-
isolated status. Within such a framework, Nepal, Bhutan, and the northeastern region of India would have the benefit of improved access to the ports and
important economic centers of the region, and a choice of routes and modes.
Page 11Given the large potential for reduction in transportation costs, allowing the landlocked region of North-Eastern India, Bhutan, and Nepal access to
Chattogram port through Bangladesh’s eastern border or to Mongla port through its North-Western border has been a key issue among concerned
authorities, although no tangible result has been reached yet.
Recent studies proposes 7 corridors for bi-lateral trade between Bangladesh and its neighbors (Northeast India, heartland India, Bhutan and Nepal), as
well as for transit allowing each neighbor to shorten circuitous travel today via the ‘chicken neck’ between Northeast India and the rest of India. Such transit
can go by road, rail or water. Water and rail transport have a cost advantage for bulks (i.e. most exports), whereas high-value goods (mainly imports) are
likely to prefer road. The study lists physical and nonphysical barriers to the development of each corridor and recommends actions and investments that
will be needed in the short and medium terms to overcome these barriers.
Cross-border exchanges of railway freight wagons also require agreement on how to keep track of the wagons while they are in ‘foreign’ territory and the
relevant charges to be levied. BR wagons do not meet Indian Railways’ standards (notably their brake systems), but IR wagons can operate in
Bangladesh; BR would at least earn track use charges from such traffic. The mix of track gauges also complicates things.
Indian freight trains travel only up to the border stations inside Bangladesh and Bangladesh Railway (BR) locomotives then pull the Indian wagons up to a
short distance inside the country where transshipment takes place. BR wagons also do not cross the Indian border, as the rolling stock is incompatible with
the air-braked stock of Indian Railways. Present load restriction over Jamuna Bridge in Bangladesh prohibits the movement of broad gauge fully loaded
wagons across the bridge, although a dual gauge railway network now exists up to Dhaka. Recent investigation, however, revealed that ISO containers on
low platform BLCA/BLCB flat cars having a floor height of 1009 mm can be allowed over Jamuna Bridge, without any load restrictions.
Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) through Bangladesh
The dream of connecting Bangladesh to the much- discussed trans-Asian railway network is finally on the way to reality. Bangladesh gov is in the process
of infrastructural development for implementation of the railway network to get connected with the Trans Asian Railway. Once the railway network is
implemented, Bangladesh will be connected to Myanmar, India, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and South Korean railway network. The
railway network connecting Bangladesh with the International World is the commercial-Economic Corridor. In particular, Bangladesh is one of the most
important trade-economic Partners of China and the possibility of rail communication with Singapore is a landmark in Bangladesh's foreign trade. In
accordance with the government 's accepted roadmap, the project has been scheduled to be completed by 2022. In this connection a new railway network
of about 101 kilometres from Dohajari to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Ghundhum of Myanmar is taken for the implementation with priority. At
present the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar-Ghundum rail line is now going on and it will be connected with the Trans-Asian Railway Network.
Initially the rail line will connect with neighbouring Myanmar via Ghundum and it will eventually be expanded up to China, Malaysia and Thailand as part of
the Trans-Asian Railway Network. The govt has also decided that another project will be undertaken to install rail line connecting Agartala in Tripura, an
Indian state, with Bangladesh via Akhaura. Besides, all the disrupted railway routes with India will be revived. Five TAR links have been nominated for
Bangladesh.
Focusing on a few strategic routes (see detailed map under)
Page 12The SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study (SRMTS) recommended a number of routes to strengthen connectivity among the countries and
territories of North-Eastern sub-region of South Asia. Out of these, the following Rail routes could be opened immediately to facilitate movement of goods
and passengers:
SAARC Railway Corridors
Following SAARC railway corridors passes through Bangladesh (as per SAARC Regional Railways Agreement):
Pakistan-India-Bangladesh-India
Lahore (Pakistan)-Wagah (Pakistan)-Atari (India)-Delhi Kolkata (I)-Gede/Petrapol (I)-Darshana/Benapol (Bangladesh)-Dhaka (Bangladesh)-Shahbazpur
(Bangladesh)-Maishashan (India)–Imphal (India).
Lahore (Pakistan) - Wagha (Pakistan) - Atari (India)-Delhi (India)- Kolkata(India)-Gede/Petrapol (India) - Darshana /Benapol (Bangladesh)–Dhaka
(Bangladesh)-Akhaura/ Gangasagar (Bangladesh) - Agartala (India)
India-Bangladesh
Imphal (India) - Agartala (India) – Akhaura/Gangasagar (Bangladesh) – Chattogram Port (Bangladesh)
Nepal-India-Bangladesh
Birgunj (Nepal) – Raxaul (India) - Singhabad (India) - Rohanpur (BD) - Mongla Port/ Chattogram Port (BD)
Biratnagar (Nepal) - Jogbani (India) - Radhikapur (India) - Birol (Bangladesh) -Khulna (BD) - Mongla Port (BD).
Bardibas(Nepal) – Inarwa (Nepal) - Jaynagar (India) - Radhikapur (India) - Birol (Bangladesh) – Khulna (Bangladesh) -Mongla Port (Bangladesh).
Bangladesh-Bhutan
Mongla Port/Chattogram Port (Bangladesh) - Chilahati (Bangladesh) - Haldibari (India) – Hasimara (India) - Bhutan.
For information on Bangladesh Railway Network Additional Information, please see the following documents:
Bangladesh Railway Network Additional Information
Bangladesh Railways additional info
Bangladesh rail map
Note: The information provided in the attached documents, which has been taken from the old DLCA, does not match the structure of the new
LCA and is therefore provided separately.
For information on Bangladesh Railway Network contact Information, please see the following link:
4.9 Bangladesh Railway Company Contact List
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