BGMEA for fast-tracking rail projects to boost trade

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has said Bangladesh’s economy is growing, which has reinforced the demand for upgrading railway connectivity across the country.

He has urged the government to speed up the ongoing railway development projects, including building new rail tracks, upgrading single lines to double, and converting the existing rail lines into dual gauge.

Faruque made the call when a BGMEA delegation headed by him met Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan at the Railway Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday.

He said the completion of dual gauge lines would reduce travel time on rail routes.

The business leader also requested the minister to increase the number of trains on the Dhaka-Chattogram route, especially freight vehicles, to facilitate the transportation of more export-import cargo.

BGMEA leaders requested the minister to launch a special demu train from Dhaka to Sreepur for easing the commute of workers of garment and textile factories.

They also called for implementing the inland container depot (ICD) project in Gazipur’s Dhirasram area. Once completed, the ICD near the Dhirasram railway station will help cater to the rapid growth of container traffic.

The BGMEA president also stressed setting up an ICD on the western bank of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj. He said it would facilitate the transportation of apparel raw materials and essential commodities from India.

The economy is growing faste, but railway connectivity is still in the old form. To cope with the faster growing trade activities, it is high time to modernise the railway services, said Faruque, also the managing director of Giant Group.

“If we cannot upgrade the transportation in line with the growth pace, it will hinder the expected growth rate and make our journey towards a developed country difficult,” said the business leader.

The BGMEA delegation included its Vice President Miran Ali and two directors – Asif Ashraf and Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan.

Railways Secretary Md Humayun Kabir was also present at the meeting.