United News of Bangladesh

The government has undertaken a major initiative to establish railway connectivity with all economic zones (EZs) across the country, including the National Special Economic Zone in Chattogram’s Mirsarai, to make goods transportation faster, cheaper and more efficient. “We are preparing an integrated plan for all economic zones in the country with focus on Mirsarai. Our goal is to connect each economic zone directly to railway lines to facilitate smooth goods transportation,” said Sheikh Moinuddin, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and the Ministry of Railways. “Currently, goods have to be transported by trucks to reach the train. We want to ensure that containers or goods can be loaded directly onto trains from all economic zones. This will save both time and cost while also making industrial operations more efficient,” he added. According to officials, a comprehensive master plan is being prepared to link all economic zones directly with the country’s railway, road and port networks. “This will add a new dimension to the national transport system,” Sheikh Moinuddin said. Dhaka-Ctg highway’s 10-lane expansion shelved; focus shifts to railway Once implemented, he said, the initiative would significantly strengthen Bangladesh’s industrialisation drive, boost exports and improve the overall goods transportation system. Bangladesh has been developing economic zones to accelerate industrial growth, attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and create large-scale employment opportunities. The previous government set an ambitious target to establish 100 economic zones by 2025, but the current administration is prioritising the development of five fully operational EZs to ensure effective delivery. The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) has already prepared a two-year roadmap to make these five zones fully functional. Par Bishnupur residents in Narial fall victims to riverbank erosion BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin announced earlier this year that the zones are expected to attract $5.5 billion in investment and create over 200,000 jobs. The five targeted zones are: ·         National Special Economic Zone in Chattogram, Mirsarai ·         Sylhet Economic Zone ·         Jamalpur Economic Zone ·         Maheshkhali Economic Zone ·         Japanese Economic Zone Among these, the National Special Economic Zone in Chattogram stands out as the largest public sector EZ. Spread over 30,000 acres of land across Mirsarai, Sonagazi and Sitakunda upazilas, and this planned and modern industrial hub is poised to play a pivotal role in driving the country’s industrialisation efforts. Experts say establishing direct rail connectivity to Mirsarai’s economic zone will be crucial for seamless movement of raw materials and finished goods to ports and markets, further enhancing its attractiveness to both local and foreign investors.  

Rail communication between Dhaka and the northern districts has remained suspended since early Monday after three bogies of the Panchagarh Express derailed near Bhangura Railway Station in Pabna. No casualties were reported, but over 1,000 passengers got panicked, with many jumping off the train. The Panchagarh-bound train left Dhaka at 11:30pm on Sunday. Derailment halts train movement on Rangpur-Lalmonirhat-Bogura route Around 4am, its locomotive, luggage and a passenger bogie derailed, said Hasina Khatun, a transport official at Pakshi Railway. Railway authorities are yet to begin recovery of the bogies several hours after the accident, leaving passengers stranded. Bhangura police rushed to the scene and ensured safety, said officer-in-charge Shafiqul Islam.

Rail communication between Dhaka and other parts of country has restored after nearly three hours of suspension due to demonstration by some temporary workers of railway at Tejgaon. Some temporary workers of Bangladesh Railway blocked the rail tracks at Karwanbazar in Tejgaon in the capital demanding the payment of five months' unpaid wages around 10:45 am on Tuesday. These Temporary Labour Register (TLR) workers  including porters, gatekeepers (traffic/engineering), cleaners, waymen, office assistants, and waiting room caretakers are employed on a daily basis. Joynal Abedin, Officer-in-Charge of Dhaka Railway Police Station, said the blockade was lifted at 12:50 pm and then the  train services resumed.

European Investment Bank (EIB) President Dr Werner Hoyer has appreciated the use of Euro 1 billion loan portfolio for Bangladesh since 2000 in areas of shared priorities. He noted, in particular, progress in projects – under implementation – under water treatment and rail link upgradation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with the EIB President recently at her hotel suite in Brussels. The prime minister referred to the achievements made so far in ensuring safe water and sanitation for nearly 97 percent of the population in Bangladesh. Also read: ‘Dear PM Hasina, 50th anniversary of EU-Bangladesh relations is the occasion to take our partnership to the next level’ She requested EIB to consider supporting river dredging, water conservation, and surface irrigation. PM Hasina also mentioned the initiatives taken by her government to develop dual-track railway, to promote cost-effective passenger and container traffic. She appreciated the interest of multilateral development banks in financing such impactful connectivity projects. The EIB president referred to the loan package of Euro 250 million signed in 2021, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (October 26, 2023). He shared that the disbursement of the amount would commence soon for the purpose of health system strengthening. Also read: PM leaves for Belgium Tuesday on a significant EU visit The EIB president observed that Bangladesh was in an ideal situation to roll out vaccine production. The prime minister informed him about the measures taken by the government to develop a vaccine production facility and a molecular testing laboratory. She suggested that EIB extend support for necessary infrastructure development for these initiatives. She reiterated that Bangladesh could support EU’s efforts to diversify production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical equipment. She also discussed possible support measures for combating dengue outbreaks, including through vaccines. The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world. In 2022 it financed around Euro 10.8 billion in investments outside the European Union via EIB Global, the arm of the bank created that year for activities beyond Europe. Since the beginning of its operations in Bangladesh in 2000, the EIB has supported six projects in the country and has invested more than Euro 670 million in water, transport and health projects. Also read: PM Hasina asks EU to extend GSP+ facilities for 6yrs to graduating LDCs like Bangladesh END/UNB/MK/KW

Rail communication between Dhaka and other parts of the country resumed on Sunday afternoon after nearly five hours of suspension due to blockade on rail tracks by a section of temporary workers of the Bangladesh Railway. Earlier, in the day, the temporary workers of Bangladesh Railway obstructed the rail track in the capital’s Malibagh area, demanding that their jobs be made permanent, halting train communication between Dhaka and the rest of the country, said Ferdous Ahmed Biswas, officer-in-charge of Kamalapur Railway Police Station. Read: British-era Alamdanga railway station lies uncared for The workers started demonstrations on the rail track since 10 am. Meanwhile, the blockade was withdrawn after four and half an hours around 2:30 pm, said Ferdous Ahmed Bishwas, Officer-in-Charge of Kamalapur Railway Police Station. Read: Dhaka’s rail link with other parts restored after 5 hrs as railway workers withdraw blockade Contacted, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan told UNB that there is no possibility of making their jobs permanent as they work on the basis of daily wage. Terming the workers’ demand “illogical,” the minister said he would recommend recruiting the workers once recruitment is done through outsourcing.  

Train communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country remained suspended again since Sunday morning as the removal of two bogies and engine of a train began at Kamalganj upazila in Moulvibazar district. Kabir Ahmad, a master of Bhanughat railway station, said the train movement from Moulvibazar to other parts of the country remained suspended since 9 am after the removal works started early in the morning. Md Anisuzzaman, deputy engineer of Kulaura railway junction, said the removal of the derailed bogies and engine will be completed soon, and train operations will resume. The engine and two bogies of Sylhet-bound ‘Udayan Express’ train from Chattogram veered off the tracks after hitting a tree that fell on the tracks due to storm while passing the Lawachara National Park around 5 am on Saturday, halting train movement. Also read: Train services resume on Sylhet route after 15 hours Rail connectivity between Sylhet and the rest of the country returned to normal around 7:30 pm after removal of the bogies and the engine from the tracks on Saturday, after a nearly 15-hour suspension. But those were not removed from the forest area on Saturday. Meanwhile, the railway department formed a five-member committee to investigate the accident. The committee, led by Divisional Railway Manager (Dhaka) Shafiqul Islam, already visited the spot on Saturday afternoon.  

Rail communications between Dhaka and Sylhet were restored Tuesday afternoon after 10 hours of suspension following derailment of a bogie of a  freight train near Mukundapur railway station in Bijoynagar upazila of Brahmanbaria. Saiful Islam, station master of Mukundapur railway station, said a bogie of the oil-laden freight train from Akhaura veered off the tracks in a place between Mukundapur and Harashpur of the district around 10:50 am, halting train services on the route. Read:Derailment halts Dhaka’s rail link with northern districts Md Monir Uddin, loco Shed in-charge of Akhaura railway junction station, said the rail communications resumed around 6:15 pm when a relief train from Akhaura station removed the bogie from the tracks. Two trains of ‘Paharika Express’, one Sylhet-bound train and another Chattogram-bound train got stranded at Akhaura Railway Junction Station and Shayestaganj railway station respectively following the derailment, he added.

Rail communication between Dhaka and Mymensingh has remained suspended since Thursday morning as a bogie of a train derailed near Rajendrapur railway station. Rezaul Islam, station master of Joydebpur Railway junction, said a bogie of  Dhaka-bound ‘Bhawal Express’ train from Mymensingh veered off the tracks, halting train services on the route. A relief train left for the spot to salvage the train. Also read: Commuter train derails in Dinajpur, loco master injured A number of trains, including Jamalpur commuter train and Mahua Express train got stranded at different railway stations following the derailment.

Rail communication between Khulna and other parts of the country, which was disrupted following a derailment at Uthli in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga district, resumed after 11 hours of suspension on Monday afternoon. The train services had remained suspended since 1 am as five bogies of an oil-laden train, KN-17, from Khulna veered off the tracks in Jibannagar upazila, said Ali Ahmed, the stationmaster on duty at Uthli railway station. No causality was reported from the incident, but four trains got stranded in Darshana, Ansarbaria and Sabdalpur Station following the incident. Also read: Derailment: Rail communication between Khulna and rest of the country suspended A rescue train from Ishwardi reached the spot around 8 am to clear the tracks by removing the bogies.

Train communications on Chattogram-Dhaka and Chattogram-Sylhet routes resumed on Sunday morning after a suspension of seven hours following the derailment of an intercity train in Brahmanpara upazila.