Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan on Monday said the number of vacancies in the railways is 22,604. The information was given in response to a tabled question from ruling party lawmaker elected from Noakhali Mamunur Rashid Kiran. The minister said the total number of vacant posts in the railways is 22,604.  Of these, 201 is first class, 1601 is second class, 8565 is third class and 12,328 is fourth class. The minister said that out of these vacancies, the ministry has sent demand to the PSC for 14 first class and 554 second class posts. Also read: CHT to be brought under railways network Clearance for 7351 posts for third and fourth class has been given. Of these, job vacancies for 441 posts of third class and 2812 posts of fourth class have been given.  The recruitment test for ALM Grade-2 and Guard Grade 2 posts will be held on June 18. In response to another question from ruling party lawmaker elected from Dhaka Haji Selim's question, the railway minister  said that the size of unused land of the railway is 10,843.15 hectares.  Initiatives have been taken to bring these unused lands under fencing, he said. The minister said that some unused lands of the railways and vacant lands in residential areas are illegally occupied. “These illegal occupants will be evicted gradually, every month eviction drive is being conducted,” the minister said. Also read: Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar train service to open by June, 2023: Railways Minister Replying to a question by Workers Party lawmaker in reserved women seat Begum Lutfun Nesa Khan, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that dope test has been made compulsory in the case of issue and renewal of professional driving license from January 30, 2022.  “License is not being renewed or issued if the dope test report is positive or has negative comments.”  Quader, in reply to a question from ruling party lawmaker elected from Dhaka Benazir Ahmed said that till now (May 2022) the toll collection of Bangabandhu Bridge is Tk. 7,135.65 crore and toll collection of Muktarpur Bridge is Tk 183.81 crore. Responding to a question from ruling party MP elected from Chattogram M Abdul Latif,  Quader said that according to the Dhaka Urban Transport Network Development Study (DHUTS) report (2010), there is 10.48 percent roads in the two city corporations of Dhaka.  Plans have been taken to build a well-connected inner ring road around the Dhaka metropolis, he added.

  Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujon on Monday sought Russain investment in Bangladesh’s railway sector. The Minister said this when Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy called on him at the Railway Bhaban in the city. “We are seeking foreign investment in the railway sector. Work on different projects is underway and more projects will be taken soon for the improvement of railway services under a master plan,” he said. Also Read:Hasina seeks Russian investment in jute sector “We are procuring new coaches and engines. New rail tracks are being constructed while bridges are being constructed and renovated. Russian investors  could invest in these sectors and establish a training institute jointly with Bangladesh,” said the minister. When Alexander Mantytskiy invited the minister to visit his country Nurul Islam accepted the invitation saying that he will visit Russia at a suitable time  next month to see their rail communication system, technology and coach and engine making factories. Railways Secretary Selim Reza was, among others, present at the meeting. Also Read: Russia keen to enhance cooperation in energy sector  

The Ministry of Railways has decided to operate 38 pairs of intercity and 20 commuter/freight trains from August 11 following the government’s announcement to ease the ongoing lockdown. The ministry in a circular on Sunday said it has decided to operate passenger trains on all of its routes with a few exceptions following health guidelines until further directive. The ministry, however, said intercity trains Ekta Express, Sundarban Express, Nilsagar Express and Rangpur Express will not operate from Dhaka on August 11, while Tongipara Express will not operate from Gobra. Read: Govt eases lockdown from Aug 11 with some guidelines to follow It said 50% tickets of intercity trains will be sold online and through mobile apps while the remaining 50% will be sold from Monday 8 am. In the case of any negligence in maintaining health rules while operating the trains, legal action will be taken against the authorities concerned, the ministry said. The movement of passenger trains has remained suspended across the country since July 23 after the government re-imposed the stringent lockdown amid a massive surge of Covid cases. Read: Lockdown or no lockdown, life is the same in Dhaka The passenger trains were allowed to move for eight days from July 15-22 across the country keeping 50% of the seats empty apparently to facilitate the movement of people ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Division issued a circular saying that the government has decided to allow all public transport to operate at full capacity across Bangladesh from August 11.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Thursday seeking an exclusive compartment for female passengers in the trains.

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan on Saturday said about 50 more ultra-modern air conditioned luggage vans will be imported for carrying vegetables and other perishables.   He revealed the informed while speaking at a relief distribution programme at Debiganj Government College premises in Panchagarh.   Passenger trains were suspended and special parcel trains are being operated to ensure smooth supply of agricultural goods, vegetables, food, and perishables during the coronavirus pandemic, he said.   There’s no scope to resume passenger train service without government’s approval, he said adding that the process of launching luggage trains is underway.