Editorial
The sad plight of Bangladesh railways
Priority should be modernisation of train services
NEWS from the railways sector, as a front-page report in yesterday's issue of this newspaper makes clear, is not encouraging. More than 2,000 kilometres of the 2,835 km railways network are in a dilapidated shape. Add to that the 675 level crossings which have increased the risks to railway travel in the country. And then come the poor and often inefficient handling of the signalling system that only add to the sense of gloom about the railways in Bangladesh. Besides, there are the reports of the casualties arising out of railway accidents or plainly hazardous use of railway tracks by individuals.
The picture which thus emerges of Bangladesh Railway is of an organisation that has atrophied over the years. And yet it is also true that of late certain measures aimed at a modernisation of the railway have been taken, even if on a limited or tentative scale. Online ticketing, though it is yet to be applied to the whole railway system, is one such measure. Apart from that, the introduction of new trains on specific routes has added to the comfort of passengers. It all goes to show that the railway, despite the plight it is in, yet has the capacity to be transformed into a modern mode of travel in the country. One must not ignore the fact that for all its problems, the railway continues to be the most important means of travel for citizens. There may have been improvements in road and riverine communications, but the railways which are potentially a dominant mode of nationwide communications remain neglected. Which of course is the reason why a definitive approach needs to be taken to bring the railway at par with popular expectations. The job can begin with an improvement in carriage conditions on all the routes. At the same time, maintenance of schedules, always a weak spot, must be strictly ensured. All of this presupposes the existence of proper, strong tracks and safeguards against pilferage of track materials.
A disquieting feature of Bangladesh Railway is the innumerable tracks that pass through urban areas, a feature generally absent in other countries. That not only adds to noise pollution and traffic congestion but is also a cause of accidents. It is therefore time for some serious rethinking in the railway administration about relocating tracks away from urban areas and in a loop around the towns and cities. That said, there is the matter of the financial losses BR has suffered in the past. Administrative dynamism can deal with the problem. There must be a perspective plan for modernisation of the railways based on advanced technologies.
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