Bangladesh Railway Losing Tk 4-5 Crore Every Day

Bangladesh Railways is losing Tk 4-5 crore in revenue every day after the suspension of all rail services around the country in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak.

On 24 March, the Government halted all passenger train services throughout the country in an attempt to avoid coronavirus outbreak.

Only freight train services remain operational.

The suspension of the passenger train services forces Bangladesh railway to count a loss of Tk 4-5 crore every day.

Meanwhile, it has lost Tk 52-65 crore in the last 13 days until April 5.

Director-General of Bangladesh Railway Shamsuzzaman told UNB that they earned Tk 1,600 crore in revenue last year by carrying passengers and goods.

On average, Bangladesh Railway has been counting a revenue loss of Tk 4-5 crore every day since March 24, he said.

Asked about the exact figure of loss, he said the director-general (operations) can provide the information.

However, Additional Director Genera (operations) Mia Jahan did not pick phone even after repeated attempts.

Talking to UNB, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan all kinds of train services were halted from March 24 and those will remain suspended until further notice. “Services will resume upon government’s directives,” he said.

He said all the trains used to carry around 2.75 lakh passengers every day to fetch Tk 4-5 crore in revenue. “As the train services remain halted, we’re losing revenue,” he said.

The minister said they meet all kinds of logistic support and pay staff salaries from selling tickets and carrying goods by freight trains.

He, however, said they are not looking for any profit during this time of the pandemic.

Sujan said although train services are suspended, there is maintenance cost and salaries of officials and staff.

He said Bangladesh Railway has a total of 364 trains and 26,135 officials and employees.

Of the staff, 418 are first-class officers, 752-second class officers, 13,622 third-class employees, and 11,343 fourth class employees, the minister said.

He said although train services remained halted, those assigned for the maintenance of railway stations and trains are discharging their duties.

Besides, others have been directed to stay at the headquarters so that emergency rail services can resume if needed, Sujan said

It also advises all railway workers to undertake an education drive at all railway stations and to keep themselves protected from coronavirus.

Mofazzel Hossain, senior secretary of the Ministry of Railways, said that while they are losing revenue since the suspension of train services, they are now prioritizing national interest.

Government steps to curb coronavirus

Bangladesh on March 23 declared a 10-day general holiday from March 26 to April 4 and then extended it until April 9. The government on Sunday further extended the general holiday until April 14.

Besides, bus, train, launch and air services remain halted apart from the closure of all educational institutions, shopping malls, and markets.

On Sunday, Police Headquarters informed that nobody will be allowed either to leave or enter the capital city until further notice.

Four New Stimulus Packages Announced

Prime Minister Sheik Hasina declared on Sunday four fresh Tk 67,750 crore stimulus packages to address the possible economic disruption of the current pandemic shutdown.

Despite the newly reported Tk 5,000 crore stimulus program, the overall package now stands at Tk 72,750 crore.

Coronavirus Update in Bangladesh

Bangladesh on Sunday reported 18 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours which is double from Saturday. The total number of infection cases in the country is now 88.

The country also confirmed another death, taking the total number to nine.

Global Update

The global death toll from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) hit 64,716 till Sunday.

The virus, first reported in China, has so far infected 1,201,933 people worldwide, according to the worldometer.

890,583 individuals infected are actually being treated, of which 42,290 are in moderate or critical condition.

So far, 246,634 of those infected have recovered.

Source: UNB