Railway Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has said the newly elected government has decided to bring about a radical transformation of Bangladesh Railway, emphasising its rich heritage and vital importance to the country.
He said the government aims to make the railway system more passenger- and public-friendly. He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists during a visit to the country’s largest railway workshop in Saidpur on Tuesday.
He noted that the Saidpur Railway Workshop was once a renowned and well-established facility that symbolised the country’s industrial capabilities.
He was accompanied by State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, Secretary Fahimul Islam, Director General Md. Afzal Hossain and other senior railway officials, including Afzal Hossain.
Established in 1870, the workshop remains as important today as it was at its inception.
However, due to a lack of government attention and initiatives, it has not expanded as it should have. In the past, the workshop manufactured approximately 12,000 types of small and specialised components for coach and wagon repairs. Currently, however, only around 654 types of essential parts are produced, forcing Bangladesh Railway to import many necessary components. He stressed the need to reduce this dependence on imports.
Noting that the current standard of coach repairs was inadequate, the minister emphasised the need to improve the quality of refurbishment.
Approximately 400 coaches across the Eastern and Western zones are awaiting repairs, and each requires high-quality maintenance. He assured that necessary measures would be taken to address the manpower shortage and increase production at the workshop. He added that various avenues were being explored to unlock the full potential of Bangladesh Railway.
During the visit, Sheikh Rabiul Alam toured various sections of the facility, including the carriage and foundry shops, to observe the production process firsthand. He also spoke directly with officials and workers about the workshop’s operations and challenges.
Upon his arrival at the workshop, the minister was welcomed with flowers by Divisional Superintendent Shah Sufi Nur Mohammad.