Railways Minister Mazibul Hoque on Thursday said the government is giving special priority to the development of the railway sector despite resource constraints.
“The government is giving additional attention to the rail sector. We want to develop the rail as a modern mass transport,” he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting at Rail Bhaban.The meeting on the modernisation of rail workshops was jointly organised by Bangladesh Railway (BR), Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust.
The minister said many crises are afflicting the rail sector due to negligence by successive governments. The government has taken steps to build new rail lines, renovate the older ones, and will buy new engines and coaches to resolve the crisis, he added.
Speakers in the meeting discussed six problems holding back the development of the rail sector – lack of manpower, low capacity of the workshops, lack of accessories and modern equipments, low budget and unsafe working conditions.
Chaired by Poba chairman Abu Nasr Khan, the programme was also addressed by BR director general Tofazzal Hossain. – UNB
