| Type | Departmental Undertaking of The Ministry of Communications, Government of Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railways and Locomotives |
| Founded | 1862 |
| Headquarters | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Area served | Bangladesh |
| Key people | Syed Abul Hossain, Minister of Communications Touhidul Anwar Chowdhury, Director General of Bangladesh Railway[1] |
| Services | Rail transport |
| Revenue | BDT 4,456.24 million. |
| Net income | BDT 2,494.62 million [2] |
| Employees | 34,168 (2009)[3] |
| Parent | Ministry of Communications, Government of Bangladesh |
| Divisions | 2 Railway Zones (East and West) |
| Website | http://www.railway.gov.bd/ |
Bangladesh Railway (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে ) (reporting mark 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, Metre 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 kilometres and employs 34,168 people.[4] BR operates international, inter-city and suburban rail systems on its multi-gauge network. It also owns coach production facilities.
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Railway operation in today's Bangladesh began on November 15, 1862 when 53.11 kilometres of 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) (broad gauge) line were opened for traffic between Dorshona of Chuadanga District and Jogotee of Kushtia District. The next 14.98 kilometres 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) (metre gauge) line was opened for traffic on 4 January 1885. In 1891, the construction of then Bengal Assam Railway was taken up by the British Government assistance but that was later on taken over by the Bengal Assam Railway Company. On 1 July 1895, two sections of metre gauge lines were opened between Chittagong and Comilla, a length of 149.89 kilometres and between Laksam Upazila and Chandpur District, a length of 50.89 kilometres. Railway Companies formed in England took up the construction and operation of these sections in middle and late 19th century.[5]
At time of the partition of India in 1947, Bengal-Assam Railway was split up and the portion of the system, about 2,603.92 kilometres fell within the boundary of then East Pakistan and control remained with the central Government of Pakistan. Later with the effect from 1 February 1961, Eastern Bengal Railway was renamed as Pakistan Eastern Railway. Then in 1962, the control of Pakistan Eastern Railway was transferred from the Central Government to the Government of East Pakistan and placed under the management of a Railway Board with the effect from the financial year 1962-63 by the presidential Order of 9 June 1962.[5]
As of 2005, the total length of railroad is 2,855 kilometres.[6] Of that, 660 km are broad gauge tracks (mostly in the western region), 1,830 km are metre gauge tracks (mostly in the central and eastern regions) and 365 km are dual gauge tracks.[7] The gauge problem is being tackled by adding third rails to the most important broad and metre gauge routes, so that they become dual gauge. A major road-rail bridge at Jamuna opened in 1998 to connect the previously detached east and west rail networks. On March 2008, the broad gauge reached Dhaka, the national capital. Funding is being sought to upgrade the network and transform Bangladesh Railway into a profitable business.[8] BR exceeded its target revenue earnings in the fiscal year 2007-2008.[1]
After independence, the railway was first supervised by a Railway Board which was abolished in 1982. Thereafter, the BR came under the jurisdiction of the Railway Division of the Ministry of Communications with the Secretary of the Division working as the Director General of BR. In 1995, instead of being the part of the Ministry, BR came under control of a professional Director General supervised by the Bangladesh Railway Authority that is chaired by the Minister of Communications.[9]
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 operation, maintenance, and finances. Each zone is divided into two divisions that contain departments for Personnel,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.[9]
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.[9]
Bangladesh Railway provides various types of services ranging from shuttle service 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 subsidised rate in order to help the country's economy and for the ease of people.
Bangladesh Railway is one of the principal modes of transportation in the country. During 2004-2005, about 42 million passengers were transported by Bangladesh Railway.[10] 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.[10]
The Maitree Express is an international train in operation since 2008 and links Dhaka and Kolkata, India; the travel time is 13 hours.
Bangladesh Railway features mainly three classes of Travel. Air Conditioned Class, First Class and Second Class. Third Class was withdrawn with effect from August 1, 1989. Most of the trains have the First Class and Second Class only. Second Class is divided into Shovon Chair, Shovon, and Shulov sub-classes. In some trains a separate mail compartment is present. In Inter-City and long-distance trains, a pantry car and a power car is included in the center. All Inter-City trains are partially airconditioned, feature padded leather seats and berths and provide passengers with on-demand sheets, pillows, blankets, as well as meals and refreshments.
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Tapanukul (তাপানুকূল) First class AC |
This is the most expensive class. This air conditioned coach is present only on popular Inter-City routes. The coaches are carpeted, have sleeping accommodation, ample leg room and have privacy features like personal coupes. |
| First class (প্রথম শ্রেণী ) | This class is basically non air-conditioned. Has sleeping berths, ample leg room. |
| First class Chair (প্রথম শ্রেণী চেয়ার ) |
Seater coach with a total of five seats in a row on broad gauge trains and four seats in a row on metre gauge trains. used for day travel between cities. |
| 2nd Class-Shovon Chair (২য় শ্রেণী-শোভন চেয়ার) |
The 2nd Class Shovon Chair is basically a seater coach preferred by most of the middle-class passengers. Has a total of five seats in a row on broad gauge trains and four seats in a row on metre gauge trains |
| 2nd Class-Shovon (২য় শ্রেণী-শোভন) |
One of the cheapest classes. seats are not very comfortable. |
| 2nd Class-Shulov (২য় শ্রেণী- সুলভ) |
The cheapest accommodation, with seats made of pressed wood or steel and are cushioned. Only found in sub-urban and short-distance routes. Although entry into the compartment is guaranteed, a sitting seat is not guaranteed. These coaches are usually very crowded. |
BR Fares are relatively cheaper than the bus fares. Ticketing services are available at all railway stations across Bangladesh. All railway stations are computerised and connected to a central network. Printed tickets are provided to the passengers. Tickets can be bought 10 (ten) days before the journey. 100% (excluding clerical charge) refund is available if the ticket is returned 48hrs prior to departure.
Ticket(s) can also be purchased through mobile phone.
Intercity Trains (Metre Gauge & Dual Gauge) Train no Name Off day From Departure To Arrival 701 Subarna express Friday Chittagong 07:00 Dhaka 12:40 702 Subarna express Friday Dhaka 15:30 Chittagong 21:20 703 Mahanagar godhuli No Chittagong 15:00 Dhaka 21:25 704 Mahanagar Provati No Dhaka 07:40 Chittagong 14:20 705 Ekota express Tuesday Dhaka 09:50 Dinajpur 19:10 706 Ekota express Monday Dinajpur 21:50 Dhaka 07:35 707 Tista express Monday Dhaka 07:20 Dawngonge Bazar 12:50 708 Tista express Monday Dawngonge Bazar 14:40 Dhaka 20:05 709 Parabat express Tuesday Dhaka 06:40 Sylhet 13:10 710 Parabat express Tuesday Sylhet 15:00 Dhaka 21:45 711 Upakul express Wednesday Noakhali 14:40 Dhaka 20:30 712 Upakul express Wednesday Dhaka 07:00 Noakhali 13:05 713 Karotoa express No Santahar 16:15 Lalmonirhat 20:10 714 Karotoa express No Lalmonirhat 20:30 Santahar 00:20 717 Joyantika express No Dhaka 14:00 Sylhet 21:00 718 Joyantika express Thrusday Sylhet 07:30 Dhaka 14:35 719 Paharika express Monday Chittgong 08:00 Sylhet 17:00 720 Paharika express Saturday Sylhet 10:15 Chittgong 19:25 721 Mahanagr Provati Sunday Chittagong 07:20 Dhaka 14:05 722 Mahanagar godhuli Sunday Dhaka 15:50 Chittgong 22:35 723 Udayan express Saturday Chittagong 21:00 Sylhet 06:00 724 Udayan express Sunday Sylhet 21:10 Chittgong 05:35 729 Meghna express No Chittagong 17:00 Chandpur 22:05 730 Meghna express No Chandpur 05:00 Chittgong 10:15 735 Aghnibina No Dhaka 09:30 Tarakandi 15:15 736 Aghnibina No Tarakandi 15:55 Dhaka 22:05 737 Egarosindhur Provati Wednesday Dhaka 08:10 Kishorganj 11:55 738 Egarosindhur Probhati No Kishorganj 06:45 Dhaka 11:00 739 Upaban express Wednesday Dhaka 21:50 Sylhet 05:10 740 Upaban express No Sylhet 22:00 Dhaka 05:15 741 Turna No Chittagong 23:00 Dhaka 06:15 742 Turna No Dhaka 23:30 Chittgong 06:10 743 Bhramanputra express No Dhaka 18:00 Dawangong Bazar 23:55 744 Bhramanputra express No Dawangong Bazar 06:00 Dhaka 11:45 745 Jamuna express No Dhaka 16:30 B.B Setu Purbo 23:50 746 Jamuna express No B.B Setu Purbo 01:30 Dhaka 08:10 749 Egarosindhur godhuli No Dhaka 18:30 Kishorganj 22:50 750 Egarosindhur godhuli Wednesday Kishorganj 12:50 Dhaka 17:05 751 Lalmoni express Friday Dhaka 22:10 Lalmonirhat 08:20 752 Lalmoni express Friday Lalmonirhat 10:40 Dhaka 21:05 757 Drutajan express Wednesday Dhaka 19:40 Dinajpur 05:00 758 Drutajan express Wednesday Dinajpur 08:10 Dhaka 17:40 767 Dolanchapa express no Santahar 15:00 Dinajpur 21:40 768 Dolanchapa express - Dinajpur 06:10 Santahar 13:10 Intercity Trains (Broad Gauge & Dual Gauge) Train no Name Offday From Departure To Arrival 715 Kapotaskh express Wednesday Khulna 06:30 Rajshahi 13:10 716 Kapotaskh express Wednesday Rajshahi 14:00 Khulna 20:35 725 Sundarban express Friday Khulna 20:00 Dhaka 05:35 726 Sundarban express Saturday Dhaka 06:20 Khulna 16:50 727 Rupsha express Thrusday Khulna 07:50 Saidpur 17:30 728 Rupsha express Thrusday Saidpur 07:15 Khulna 17:20 731 Barendra express Sunday Rajshahi 15:00 Nilphamari 21:00 732 Barendra express Sunday Nilphamari 06:00 Rajshahi 11:35 733 Titumir express Wednesday Rajshahi 06:30 Chilahati 13:30 734 Titumir express Wednesday Chilahati 14:10 Rajshahi 21:25 747 Simanta express No Khulna 20:45 Saidpur 05:30 748 Simanta express No Saidpur 19:15 Khulna 04:30 753 Silk city express Sunday Dhaka 14:40 Rajshahi 20:55 754 Silk city express Sunday Rajshahi 07:30 Dhaka 13:30 755 Madhumati express Friday Goalonda ghat 14:30 Rajshahi 20:00 756 Madhumati express Friday Rajshahi 07:10 Goalonda ghat 12:45 759 Padma Express Tuesday Dhaka Cantt 22:45 Rajshahi 04:40 760 Padma Express Tuesday Rajshahi 16:00 Dhaka cantt 21:45 761 Sagardari Express Monday Khulna 15:00 Rajshahi 21:40 762 Sagardari Express Monday Rajshahi 06:50 Khulna 13:30 763 Chittra Express Monday Khulna 08:40 Dhaka 18:20 764 Chittra Express Monday Dhaka 19:00 Khulna 05:15 765 Nilsagar Monday Dhaka Cantt 08:25 Nilphamari 17:15 766 Nilsagar Sunday Saidpur 23:15 Dhaka Cantt 07:25 769 Dhumketue express Tuesday Dhaka 06:00 Rajshahi 12:00 770 Dhumketue express Monday Rajshahi 23:20 Dhaka 04:50 3107/3110 Moitree Express NO Dhaka Cantt 08:10 Kolkata 18:45 3108/3109 Moitree Express NO Kolkata 07:10 Dhaka Cantt 18:05 Mail/Express Trains (Metre Gauge): tr class="rowlight"> Train no Name Off day From Departure To Arrival 1 Dhaka mail No Chittagong 22:30 Dhaka 07:10 2 Chittagong mail No Dhaka 22:30 Chittagong 07:15 3 Karnaphuli express No Chittagong 10:00 Dhaka 20:45 4 Karnaphuli express No Dhaka 08:25 Chittagong 19:10 7 Uttarbanga mail No Santahar 08:00 Punchogor 22:20 8 Uttarbanga mail No Punchogor 07:40 Santahar 22:20 9 Surma mail No Dhaka 22:50 Sylhet 12:00 10 Surma mail No Sylhet 20:00 Dhaka 09:55 11 Dhaka express No Noakhali 20:30 Dhaka 05:55 12 Noakhali express No Dhaka 20:10 Noakhali 04:40 13 Jalalabad express No Chittagong 19:30 Sylhet 11:10 14 Jalalabad express No Sylhet 22:30 Chittagong 13:15 17 Kushiara express No Akhaura 06:15 Sylhet 12:30 18 Kushiara express No Sylhet 16:10 Akhaura 22:15 19 Bagora express No Santahar 17:35 Lalmonirhat 23:40 20 Bagora express No Lalmonirhat 11:10 Santahar 17:20 21 Padmarag express No Santahar 05:50 Lalmanirhat 12:10 22 Padmarag express No Lalmanirhat 13:50 Santahar 20:10 29 Sagarika express No Chittagong 08:30 Chandpur 14:10 30 Sagarika express No Chandpur 14:50 Chittagong 20:55 33 Titas commuter No Akhaura 05:00 Dhaka 08:30 34 Titas commuter Friday Dhaka 10:10 B.Baria 13:15 35 Titas commuter Friday B.Baria 13:55 Dhaka 16:45 36 Titas commuter No Dhaka 17:40 Akhaura 21:20 37 Mymensingh express No Chittagong 15:10 B.B Setu Purbo 09:00 38 Mymensingh express No B.B Setu Purbo 02:00 Chittagong 22:10 39 Isakhan express No Dhaka 11:30 Mymensingh 21:45 40 Isakhan express No Mymensingh 07:30 Dhaka 18:00 41 Kanchan express No Parbatipur 08:00 Thakurgaon road 12:00 42 Kanchan express No Thakurgaon road 14:00 Parbatipur 18:00 43 Mahua express No Dhaka 04:40 Mohanganj 15:55 44 Mahua express No Mohanganj 17:00 Dhaka 03:15 45 Samatat express No Noakhali 07:30 Akhaura 12:15 46 Samatat express No Akhaura 12:50 Noakhali 19:25 47 Dewanganj Comuter No Dhaka 05:30 Dewanganj Bazar 12:30 48 Dewanganj Comuter No Dewanganj Bazar 13:30 Dhaka 19:25 49 Balaka Comuter No Dhaka 10:30 Mymensingh 14:10 50 Balaka Comuter No Mymensingh 14:50 Dhaka 18:40 51 Jamalpur commuter No Dhaka 16:10 Dewangonj Bazar 23:15 52 Jamalpur commuter No Dewangonj Bazar 04:20 Dhaka 10:30 53 Benapole Commuter No Khulna 07:10 Benapole 09:50 54 Benapole Commuter No Benapole 12:45 Khulna 15:40 55 Voyal express No Dhaka 21:00 Dewangong Bazar 04:15 56 Voyal express No Dewangong Bazar 01:00 Dhaka 11:25 Turag/1 Express Friday Dhaka 05:00 Joydebpur 06:10 Turag/2 Express Friday Joydebpur 07:25 N.Gong 09:45 Turag/3 Express Friday N.Gong 10:05 Joydebpur 12:25 Turag/4 Express Friday Joydebpur 12:45 Dhaka 14:55 Turag/5 Express Friday Dhaka 17:20 Joydebpur 18:45 Turag/6 Express Friday Joydebpur 20:15 Dhaka 22:35 219 Local Friday N.Gong 7:00 Dhaka 7:40 221 Local Friday N.Gong 7:55 Dhaka 8:35 223 Local Friday N.Gong 09:15 Dhaka 09:55 225 Local Friday N.Gong 12:15 Dhaka 12:55 223 Local Friday N.Gong 14:15 Dhaka 15:00 229 Local Friday N.Gong 16:25 Dhaka 17:05 231 Local Friday N.Gong 17:15 Dhaka 17:55 233 Local Friday N.Gong 18:45 Dhaka 19:30 235 Local Friday N.Gong 20:05 Dhaka 20:50 237 Local Friday N.Gong 21:05 Dhaka 21:50 239 Local Friday N.Gong 22:30 Dhaka 23:10 220 Local Friday Dhaka 06:00 N.Gong 06:40 222 Local Friday Dhaka 06:45 N.Gong 07:30 224 Local Friday Dhaka 08:10 N.Gong 08:55 226 Local Friday Dhaka 10:05 N.Gong 10:45 228 Local Friday Dhaka 12:30 N.Gong 13:15 230 Local Friday Dhaka 14:40 N.Gong 15:20 232 Local Friday Dhaka 16:10 N.Gong 16:55 234 Local Friday Dhaka 17:30 N.Gong 18:15 236 Local Friday Dhaka 18:40 N.Gong 19:20 238 Local Friday Dhaka 20:00 N.Gong 20:40 240 Local Friday Dhaka 21:30 N.Gong 22:10 59 Ramsagar Express No Bonarpara 06:30 Dinajpur 12:20 60 Ramsagar Express No Dinajpur 15:50 Bonarpara 21:15 61 Dinajpur Commuter No Lalmonirhat 06:50 Birol 10:30 62 Dinajpur Commuter No Birol 11:20 Lalmonirhat 14:40 63 Burimari Express No Lalmonirhat 19:00 Parbatipur 21:10 64 Burimari Express No Parbatipur 05:10 Lalmonirhat 07:40 65 Burimari Express No Lalmonirhat 08:00 Burimari 13:00 66 Burimari Express No Burimari 13:30 Lalmonirhat 18:20 69 Perbotipur Express No Lalmonirhat 21:30 Parbatipur 23:40 70 Perbotipur Express No Parbatipur 18:30 Lalmonirhat 21:10 Mail/Express Trains (Broad Gauge): Train No Name Off day From Departure To Arrival 5 Rajshahi express No Joydevpur 11:30 Chapainawabganj 21:50 6 Rajshahi express No Chapainawabganj 07:45 Sirajgonj Bazar 17:15 15 Mahananda Express No Khulna 11:15 Chapainawabganj 23:15 16 Mahananda Express No Chapainawabganj 05:45 Khulna 18:20 23 Rocket express No Khulna 09:30 Parbatipur 22:20 24 Rocket express No Parbatipur 9:50 Khulna 23:45 25 Nakshikantha express No khulna 02:00 Goalondaghat 11:00 26 Nakshikantha express No Goalondaghat 13:00 Khulna 22:15 27 Chilahati express No Parbatipur 04:30 Chilahati 06:25 28 Chilahati express No Chilahati 07:10 Parbatipur 09:30 31 Uttara express No Rajshahi 11:00 Parbatipur 19:15 32 Uttara express No Parbatipur 03:25 Rajshahi 10:25 53 Benapol commuter No Khulna 07:10 Benapol 09:50 54 Benapol commuter No Benapol 12:45 Khulna 15:40 57 Rajshahi commuter Friday Ishurdi 07:00 Rajshahi 09:20 58 Rajshahi commuter Friday Rajshahi 17:30 Ishurdi 19:10
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.
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.
Bangladesh Railway's fleet of diesel locomotives includes both diesel-electric and diesel-hydraulic machines.[11] Fleet at 30th June 2005:
A small number of steam locomotives is preserved in Bangladesh.[12]
| Location | Builder | Wheel arrangement |
Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka Railway HQ | Nippon | 2-8-2 | Metre gauge |
| Saidpur Works | W. G. Bagnall | 2-4-0T | 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) |
| Saidpur Works | Vulcan Foundry | 0-6-0 | 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) |
| Paksay Railway HQ | Vulcan Foundry? | 2-4-0T | 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) |
The 762 mm gauge locomotives are from the Rupsa-Bagerhat railway which was the only 762 mm gauge line in East Pakistan when colonial India was partitioned in 1947. It was re-gauged to 1,676 mm gauge in 1970.
Bangladesh Railway has sheds, depots and workshops for maintenance. Rolling Stock, Locomotives are maintanied 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 :
Carriages & wagons are maintained in following workshops
Bangladesh Railway had a total of 454 railway stations at the end of the year 2004-05. These include one block hut, thirteen train halts and four goods booking points.
A train ferry goes from:
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