The cost of development projects in Bangladesh significantly surpasses those in India and neighbouring countries, said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Railways.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new train on the Dhaka-Khulna route at Dhaka Railway Station on Tuesday (24 December), Fouzul Kabir Khan emphasised the urgency of reducing expenditure within the railway sector.
"We must curtail these expenses. The railways should operate on its own revenue. Excessive costs have led to the current state of our railways, which is burdened by inefficiency. Therefore, trains should stop only where there is a higher number of passengers," he stated.
Addressing general passengers, he noted that while many expect trains to stop near their homes, they also desire swift travel times—two expectations that are inherently contradictory.
"The more stoppages a train has, the longer the journey becomes. There is now an unrealistic notion that every locality must have a station, and every train must stop at each one. I urge you to reconsider this expectation," he added.
Highlighting the importance of strategic operations, he said, "Trains will stop only where there is a significant concentration of passengers and potential for revenue generation. Always remember, the railway is a commercial entity and must sustain itself through its earnings. While the government provides subsidies in various sectors, this cannot be a perpetual practice for the railways."
The adviser’s remarks come amidst calls for greater efficiency and financial prudence in the nation’s railway operations, which have often faced scrutiny for overspending and underperformance.
