BR west zone earns Tk 1.71b revenue in eight months

RAJSHAHI, Apr 16 (BSS): The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway has earned revenue of around Tk 1.71 billion in first eight months of the current 2013-14 fiscal till February, up by Tk 140.9 million than the corresponding period of the previous 2012-13 fiscal.
Of the total earning, Tk 1.08 billion were obtained by carrying over 13.1 million passengers while Tk 457.6 million from the goods transportation.
Chief Commercial Manager of the zone Habibur Rahman told BSS that the revenue earning is gradually being increased despite of multifarious problems being faced by the railway sector.
He mentioned that the revenue earning could have been more if the railway sector were freed from destructive activities saying that the zone suffered losses of around Tk 36 crore during the last year's political violence.
The zone, covering Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna divisions, has been operating 99 trains including 40 intercity ones on different routes including the capital Dhaka at present.
He stated that the number of passengers on various routes where the intercity trains plying especially those connecting the capital Dhaka has been increased significantly in the last couple of years.
In most of the cases, he said the railway staffs are facing a great trouble to manage the enhanced and overcrowded passengers.
He added that the Rajshahi-Rohanpur border railway line is being adjudged as the Trans Asian Railway Route.
For the betterment of the passengers in general he said 27 major stations have been brought under the modern computerized seat reservation and ticketing system. Some of those including Rajshahi have launched ticket selling, seat reservation and other requisite privileges through online system.
He, however, said the revenue earning could be enhanced to a greater extent if the 64 non-functional stations are re- launched as early as possible.
Abdul Awal Bhuiyan, General Manager of the zone, told BSS that the huge number of stations remained inoperative for long due to various problems including shortage of stationmaster, points man, shunting man, booking clerk and other necessary staffs.
He expressed his apprehension that more other stations might be shuttered down either partially or completely when the contractual service of the station masters will end.
Earlier, six more other mail trains and 25 local trains were being operated on different routes of the zone but now those were curtailed due to various problems including shortage of lineman, engine, rake and loco master.
He emphasized the need for taking effective step to restart the trains and stations as early as possible for the sake of reflecting the hopes and aspirations of the general public as many people still depend on railway journey.
Works on various railway projects are being progressed on different routes of the zone at present aiming at bringing dynamism in the railway transportation, said Awal Bhuiyan.
On successful implementation of the projects, significant developments are expected in the railway sector including its revenue earning, he added.
Meanwhile, Abu Bakker Ali, president of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underscored the need for solving the existing problems of the railway sector as early as possible for the sake of benefit of the passengers and other parties concerned.