Stressing the need for dividing the country's railway zones into four to make its services more effective, Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina asked the Railways Ministry on Thursday to free its lands from illegal grabbers, especially ones on both sides of the railway tracks, reports UNB.
"Considering the country's map, the Railway network could be divided into four zones-northern, southern, eastern and western zones. If it happens, then, I believe, the Railway will be able to play a more effective role," she said in her introductory speech during her visit to the Railways Ministry.
About accidents caused by slums on both sides of railway tracks, Hasina said the Railways Ministry should have control over both sides of the tracks and barbed-wire or fences could be erected, if necessary.
About land grabbing, the Prime Minister said, "There shouldn't be illegal grabbing of Railway lands in any away."
Referring to the destructive acts of BNP-Jamaat alliance, especially in the railway sector to thwart the January-5 polls, Hasina alleged that they destroyed some 57 locomotives and 118 coach-carriages in the name of hartal and movement, causing the Railway an overall loss of TK 629.2 million.
She alleged that the BNP government in its tenure had closed many railway routes across the country following the World Bank's prescriptions.
Turning to the cancellation of fund by the World Bank (WB) in the Padma Bridge project, Hasina said, "No one could unearth any kind of corruption in the project as it was politically motivated allegation. Some vested quarters or some big countries were behind it."
Noting that it is the misfortune for the Railways that whoever gets a chance grab its lands, Hasina said the ministry's drive to free the Railway land from grabbers must be continued.
Vowing to extend the Railway services in the coming days, the PM also directed the ministry to formulate a future plan for the Railway incorporating dual-gauge options.
"The Railway will have to be developed further in the future. I put much emphasis on the railway for communication and this is a message to you (Railways Ministry). You'll work with sincerity for the development of the Railway sector," she added.
Hasina said once WB had argued that having a railway option over the Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna river would not be viable, but now it has proposed the government to set up another railway bridge over the river.
The Prime Minister said that her government has a plan to set up a multipurpose tunnel under the Jamuna with both rail and road connectivity at Bahadurabad-Balashi point.
She said negotiations to this end were also held with Japan and talks also ongoing with some other countries to conduct a feasibility study. "The government has taken steps to connect the railway with the Trans Asian Highway since connectivity is very much important at the global stage as well as for socioeconomic development of the country."
About the Dohazari-Ramu-Cox's Bazar to Gundum single meter gauge track project, Hasina directed the Railways Ministry to come up with a revised project making it dual-gauge one instead of meter gauge, saying, "This would further facilitate transportation of goods to Myanmar, even Kunming of China."
Another report adds: Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to work together with the United Nations (UN) to make it more inclusive and agile, and thus create a peaceful and sustainable future for the progeny.
"We reaffirm our commitment to work together with the world body," said Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina in a statement on the 69th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations that falls on October 24.
