"There are no plans to raise fares...committees formed earlier have presented their statements to us. A misinterpretation of this has spread in the media,” he said.
The minister was talking to the media after the signing ceremony of an agreement for the procurement of a total of 125 luggage vans, comprising 75 meter gauge and 50 broad gauge vans, for Bangladesh Railways.
Project Director Mizanur Rahman signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and Yang Bing, Deputy General Manager of China National Technical Import & Export Corporation signed on behalf of the supplying company.
The Minister said extensive initiatives are being taken to improve the quality of passenger service, construction and renovation of railways as well as transportation of goods. “As part of this, the collection of 125 luggage vans with support from the Asian Development Bank has been approved,” he added.
According to the ministry, the luggage vans are equipped with stainless steel bodies, are air-conditioned, high-speed bogies and automatic air brake systems so that the general and specialised goods can be delivered safely at low cost and in a short time.
The luggage vans will cost USD 42,8 million (Tk 358.39 crore) and the delivery of these luggage
vans will start within the next 20 months. All the vans will reach Bangladesh within 27 months.
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