Dhaka, Sept 16 – Bangladesh Railway started full-fledged operation on Wednesday after three and a half months of services on a limited scale due to coronavirus pandemic. The Railways Ministry allowed trains to carry passengers at their full capacity from today.
All the trains have started journeys to their destinations since the morning, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan said.
The government initially shut passenger trains to contain the spread of coronavirus on March 24.
It later allowed trains to run on condition that they follow health guidelines and carry 50 percent passengers to ensure physical distancing.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18. The government declared a general holiday from March 26 to contain transmission of the virus. It also shut down all local, mail and commuter train services.
A gazette notification was issued on May 29 allowing limited operation of public transport and offices. Train services resumed on May 31. Railway started selling tickets online from May 30 to avoid health risks.
Restrictions on the operation of public transports were lifted gradually. Although the operators have been ordered to strictly follow health protocols, the directive is flouted all too often. – UNB
