Bangladesh Railway Network Additional Information
Railway reform is urgently needed
Bangladesh Railway (BR) has played a limited role in the economy, due to the insufficient
infrastructure, poor condition of the physical assets, and low efficiency of services vis-à-vis competing
transportation modes. Railway sector governance challenges and inadequate resource allocations are
largely responsible for these persistent obstacles. In order to contain the adverse budgetary impact of
its operations and to enhance the contribution of the railways to the economy, reform actions and
investment are underway. The restructuring of BR is being pursued as the focus of the reforms and is
critical to improving the efficiency of services.
Once that is achieved, linking BR with the railways of neighboring countries through strategic
partnerships is probably the best chance for BR to attain viability, since Bangladesh does not have
domestically the kind of heavy traffic, minerals or heavy industry that are most suitable for rail
transport. Suburban and inter-city passenger traffic also has potential, given Bangladesh’s large and
dense population. If the world price of oil stays at the current high level, it will give the railway a
special advantage for offering competitive passenger services. Whether the new emphasis will be on
freight or passenger services, substantial investment in infrastructure, equipment and technical
modernization is required, as is adoption of a better management. It is likely that in the absence of
investment in railways, more costly investments would be required in the road sector to add the
required capacity.
The Government Strategy
After inclusion of railway track over the Bangabandhu Bridge, railway link between East and West
Zone has been established.
Overall Activities of Bangladesh Railway
Fisca
l
Year
Passenger traffi
c km (million)
Freight
traffic k
m
(million)
Revenue earnings (cror
e Tk)
Revenue expense (cror
e Tk)
2006- 4586.04
07
775.58
452.76
933.13
2007- 5609.24
08
869.59
561.64
1088.55
2008- 6800.73
09
800.15
625.35
1172.74
2009- 7354.68
10
640.81
645.24
1305.40
Source: Bangladesh Railway, Ministry of Communication. *PPSO and welfare grants are included.
The Government, underscoring the need for railway communication, attaches topmost priority to
railway amongst all the surface mode of transports in Vision-2021. 28 new projects have been
approved in the past two years for the improvement of railway.
− 5 projects have already been taken in hand for about 454.6 km expansion of railway network such
as Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar- Gundum (128 km), Kalukhali-Bhatiapara-Gopalganj-Tungipara (135.5 km),
Pachuria-Faridpur- Bhanga (60.1 km), Ishurdi-Pabna-Dhalar char (78 km) and Khulna-Mongla (53
km).
− 12 important projects of BR against Indian Credit Line have been undertaken under which new
equipment will be procured; Khulna-Mongla rail line and 2nd Bhairab and 2nd Titas Bridge will also be
constructed.
− Moreover, rail line rehabilitation, construction of a new ICD at Dhirasram, modernization of Saidpur
workshop, modernization of stations, procurement of 2 relief cranes, establishment of load monitoring
device in Bangabandhu bridge have been undertaken against approved projects.
− To meet the expectation of the stakeholders necessary steps have been taken for doubling DhakaChittagong railway corridor and introduction of rail communication over the Padma Bridge.
− Bangladesh signed the “Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) Network”.
− Steps have been taken to establish Trans-Asian Railway Network and Regional/subregional
connectivity in Bangladesh.
− Moreover, to meet the traffic demand New Express connections have been introduced.
The Government is committed to transform BR into a feasible and market oriented organization with
managerial, financial and administrative autonomy to meet its objectives. To prepare this ground, the
Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported a Technical Assistance Project which consisted of three
phases.
Constraints
Major constraints in rail connectivity are the lack of connectivity between the rail networks, including
differences of the rail gauges and incompatibilities in rolling stock. A through link is not available
between the main part of India and the north-east states through Bangladesh. India has a three gauge
system while Bangladesh has broad gauge and meter gauge (MG) with some dual gauge in the west
and MG only in the east. India adopts air-braked rolling stock whereas Bangladesh adopts vacuum
based with some air-braked. The key issue is overall deteriorated conditions of rail networks,
especially in eastern India and Bangladesh.
The rail network has been neglected for a long time without adequate budget to provide for much
needed maintenance and/or improvement. As a result, the infrastructure is generally in poor condition
with a number of inadequacies, such as short loop lengths, marshalling yard lines and terminals
restricting the ability of locomotives to haul full train loads. Mechanical signaling and track structures
further restrict freight train speeds. Apart from about 900 km of main line, lines and crossing loops are
in bad condition leading to frequent derailments.
The funding constraints are further compounded with Bangladesh Railways (BR) required to operate
extensive passenger services at low fares. This results in insufficient revenue to justify investment,
despite the high passenger demand. The priority given to passenger trains also causes delays to
freight trains and reduces their competitiveness. This is a particular problem where lines are single
track.
The funding problems have been recognized by the Government and in the Bangladesh Railway
Investment Program 2007–13 the main agreed projects are duplication of the Tongi – Bharaib Bazaar
section, rehabilitation of rail lines, remodeling/rehabilitation of railway stations, signaling and
procurement of locomotives and carriages/wagons. In addition, both ADB and the World Bank have
assistance programs aimed at improving track and wagon maintenance.
BR rolling stock is poorly maintained and most is overdue for repair or beyond its economic life. BR
policy is to move towards air-braked stock, but a considerable amount of unbraked rolling stock
remains and this can only be hauled at a slow speed, dramatically reducing effective track capacity.
The amount of unbraked stock also limits the number of trains that can use the Jamuna Bridge. Theft
of brake blocks and other equipment thwarts attempts to upgrade stock and the generally poor
condition of the rolling stock restricts possible train speeds.
While some locomotives are fitted to haul both vacuum and air-braked stock, unavailability of suitable
locomotives at Darsana and Benapole has been cited as a reason for limiting the types of wagons
used on the international route to vacuum-braked stock. The average turnaround time for Indian
wagons bringing goods into Bangladesh is five to six days for an average movement of only 70 km.
The turnaround time is considered excessive for this relatively short movement and a source of
friction with Indian Railways.
A new dual gauge link between Ishurdi Junction and Dhaka Cantonment station provides a broad
gauge (BG) link with India from the outskirts of Dhaka, but restrictions imposed by the Jamuna
Multipurpose Bridge Authority (JMBA) prevent the movement of Indian BG wagons over this bridge.
Re-rating the bridge, possibly involving bridge strengthening, is being investigated by ADB but the
cost of such strengthening is expected to be quite high. Other options including weighbridges to
ensure wagons are within allowable limits have so far been rejected by JMBA.
The route between India through to Myanmar and its north eastern states could be shortened if
movement through Bangladesh was negotiated satisfactorily. The main route would be from Darsana
to Akhaura or Shahbazpur via Ishurdi and Tongi junction. However, there would need to be the
transshipment for freight between BG and MG (MG) at some point between Ishurdi and Tongi.
However, it is recognized that both countries do not consider such a through route as a priority.
Bangladesh Railways
Title: Director General
Name: MD.ABU TAHER.
Address: Bangladesh Railways 16, Abdul Ghani Road, Rail Bhaban, Dhaka 2100, Bangladesh
Tel: (+880) (2) 95 61 200
Email: ailbhbn@bttb.net
Website: http://www.railway.gov.bd
Bangladesh Railway (BR) is the state-owned rail transport agency of Bangladesh. It operates and
maintains the entire railway network of the country. BR is controlled by the Directorate General of
Bangladesh Railway under the Ministry of Communications along with Bangladesh Railway Authority
(BRA) which works for policy guidance of BR.
Key features of BR are the coexistence of several gauges, Broad gauge, Meter gauge and Dual
gauge, and the separation of the system by the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra) into a Western and
Eastern Zone of operations with only one bridge, the 2003 Jamuna Bridge, connecting the two zones.
Bangladesh Railway covers a length of 2,855 route kilometers and employs 34,168 people. BR
operates international, inter-city and suburban rail systems on its multi-gauge network. It also owns
coach production facilities.
BR is divided into two zones, East & West, each under control of a general manager who is
accountable to the Director General of Bangladesh Railway. The two zones have their separate
departments for operations, maintenance, and finances. Each zone is divided into two divisions that
contain departments of HR, Transportation, Commercial, Finance Mechanical, Way and Works
Signaling & Telecommunication, Electrical, Medical, etc.
Each zone also has its Workshop Divisions, located at Pahartali and Saidpur, respectively. A
locomotive workshop is located at Parbatipur for broad and metre gauge locomotives.
BR manages its own Railway Training Academy. A separate Directorate under the Ministry of
Communications is charged to inspect different works of BR in relation to safety.
Services
Bangladesh Railway provides various types of services ranging from shuttle for university students to
freight and cargo service. But still BR could not make profit as it is providing services to the nation at a
subsidized rate in order to help the country's economy and for the ease of people.
− Passengers Service
Bangladesh Railway is an important mode of transportation in the country. During 2004-2005, about
42 million passengers were transported by Bangladesh Railway. Bangladesh Railway introduced
Intercity Train services in 1985. At present there are 54 Intercity Trains running. Around 38.5% of the
total passengers of Bangladesh Railway are being carried by the Intercity trains which contribute
approximately 73.3% of the total earning of passenger traffic.
− Maitree Express
The Maitree Express is an international train in operation since 2008 linking Dhaka and Kolkata, India;
the travel time is 13 hours.
− Accommodation classes
Bangladesh Railway features mainly three classes of Travel. Air Conditioned Class, First Class and
Second Class. Third Class was withdrawn in 1989. Most of the trains have First Class and Second
Class only. All Inter-City trains are partially air-conditioned.
− Freight and cargo service
The railway has been facing tough competition with other modes of transport for the high rated traffic,
which pay more revenue. As a national carrier, BR is obliged to carry essential commodities like food
grains, fertilizer, jute, cement, coal, iron and steel, stone & boulders, petroleum products, salt, sugar
etc. to the remote corners of the country at a cheaper rate. The freight traffic during 2004-2005 was
3,206 thousand Metric Tons.
Bangladesh Railway transports containers from Chittagong to Dhaka. Special type Flat Wagons
required for container movement were initially arranged by converting some existing wagons.
Subsequently 80 bogie container flats were procured from China and another 100 bogie container
flats were procured from India. An Inland Container Depot has been opened at Dhaka with custom
and port facilities for clearance of container traffic. Exclusive container train was introduced on 5
August 1991. Since then, volume of container traffic gained momentum.
− Railway ferry service
There were 25 marine vessels under Mechanical Department at the end of 2004-2005. The fleet of
the marine vessels consists of 2 Passenger vessels, 4 Tugs, 4 Wagon Ferry Barges, 5 Pontoon
ramps, 5 Flats and 5 Berthing flats.
Construction and Maintenance
Railway Overview
Track gauge
Broad (BG), Meter (MG) and Dual Gauge (DG)
Total track distance
Bangladesh Railway has a total of 2.855 kilometres
at the end of the year 2003-2004:
*East Zone: MG: 1.277 km
*West Zone: MG: 553 km
BG: 660 km
DG: 335 km
Locomotives
Steam Diesel Locomotive:
BG: 78
DG: 286
Covered Wagons FourWheeler
BG: 866
MG: 5.543
Open wagons-High Sided-Four
Wheeler (KC)
BG: 400
MG: 33
Open Wagons-High SidedBoogie (BKC, SCT)
BG: nil
MG: 493 / 876 Four Wheelers
Open Wagons-Low Sided-Four
BG: 26
Wheeler
MG: 117
Open Wagons-Low SidedBoogie
BG: nil
MG: 46 / 92 Four Wheelers
Flat Wagon-Boogie
BG: 30 / 63 Four Wheelers
MG: 212 / 424 Four Wheelers
Flat Wagon-Four Wheelers
BG: nil
MG: 92
Flat Wagon Boogie (BFCT
Containers)
BG; nil
MG: 82 / 164 (Four wheeler)

Workshops
Bangladesh Railway has sheds, depots and workshops for maintenance. Rolling Stock, Locomotives
are maintained in 3 places viz shed shop & CLW. Carriage & Wagons are maintained in two places
i.e. in C&W Depot & workshop.
Locomotives are maintained in following workshops :
• Central Locomotive Workshop at Parbatipur, Dinajpur.
• Diesel Workshop at Pahartali, Chittagong.
• Diesel Workshop, Dhaka.
• Diesel Workshop at Parbatipur, Dinajpur.
Carriages & wagons are maintained in following workshops
• C & W Shop at Saidpur, Nilphamari
• C&W shop at Pahartali, Chittagong.
− Stores
Railway Material Management Department, known as the Stores Department of Bangladesh Railway
carries out the responsibilities of assesment, purchasing, inspecting, stocking, preservation and
supply of the materials as required and demanded by different using departments. Apart from the
non-recurring items, about 35,000 items are stocked in the main depots at Pahartali and Saidpur and
also at Diesel Sub Depots at Parbatipur, Dhaka and Pahartali for diesel spares
− Track, Bridges and Stations
The network
Bangladesh Railway has a total of 2,622 km. East Zone has 1,277 route kilometres of MG track only
and West Zone has 553 route kilometres of MG 660 route kilometres of BG and 365 route kilometres
of DG track. The total length of running track including track on double line, in the yards and sidings is
4,443 kilometres. A comparison on the Railway network at the end of 2004-2005 with those of earlier
years is shown in Table No. 3 & 5
Route Length by Civil Districts
Bangladesh Railway is not connected with all the Civil Districts of the country. At the end of 20042005 only 44 Civil Districts of the country could be connected by Railway. The District-wise Railway
stations and Route kilometres are shown in Table No. 4
Track Maintenance
Sophisticated track maintenance methods are under active consideration of the Railway
Administration to replace conventional methods. Mechanical track lifting, slewing, tamping and laying
machines have been introduced on Dhaka-Chittagong main line for track maintenance. A track
recording trolley car is in use
Bridges
At the end of 2004-2005, there were a total of 3,650 bridges, of which 3,104 are minor and 546 are
major ones. Foot over-bridges are provided in important cities and district towns
Level Crossings
At the end of 2004-2005, there were 1,610 level crossings of which 207 level crossings having heavy
road and rail traffic are manned round the clock and 1,188 with light traffic are casually manned. Busy
level crossings are being gradually provided with quick operating lifting barriers. Safety devices are
being provided at very busy level crossings
Stations
Bangladesh Railway had a total of 454 stations at the end of the year 2004-2005. These include one
block hut, thirteen train halts and four goods booking points