Move to set up joint workshop for electric, DEMU trains

The Bangladesh Railway has taken a move to set up a joint workshop for repair and maintenance of electric and DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) trains.
Sources said, the move was taken even when the authorities are yet to start a feasibility study to examine viability of introducing the express trains on a route.
Establishment of electric traction system from Narayanganj to Chittagong through Dhaka was included in the BR's (Bangladesh Railway) mega plan almost two years ago.
Though the cabinet in principle approved the plan on July 1, 2014 to upgrade the railway corridor and increase its operational efficiency, the Planning Commission is yet to approve the proposal for conducting a feasibility study in this regard.
Official sources, however, said the decision on setting up of the joint workshop will be taken after a feasibility study.
 "We want to conduct the study on DEMU workshop but a joint study would find the viability of setting up of the two new kinds of train services in a single zone," said an official.
He said, as the government has already decided to introduce the express train, the joint study will help reduce time and cost by conducting a single study for two options.
The BR has taken the move to conduct the study to ascertain viability of establishing electric or diesel tracks after a Chinese firm submitted a US$ 8.0 billion proposal in this regard.
The planning of both electric train and DEMU was part of the BR's 20-year mega plan.
The BR launched the DEMU commuter trains in April 2013 with 20 sets of trains on different routes to make commuters' movement easier and faster.
Since then, the diesel-operated commuter trains faced various technical problems which were, however, overcome at different workshops including in Dhaka, Syedpur and Parbatipur.
Officials said, the site selection of the new joint workshop or scope of work in the workshop would be found after completion of the feasibility study
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