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BSS-29
MANGO-PARCEL-TRAIN (with picture)
Special train begins transporting mangoes from Rajshahi to capital
RAJSHAHI, June 5, 2020 (BSS) – A special parcel train has started
its journey with departing for Dhaka after loading mangoes in
Chapainawabgonj and Rajshahi railway stations today creating a high
hope among the mango traders and farmers.
The train left Chapainawabgonj at 4.00 pm and subsequently departed
for Dhaka from Rajshahi at 6 pm.
The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway has taken the initiative to
transport mangoes at a lower cost for welfare of the mango traders and
farmers amid the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
The cargo train will carry a maximum 225 tonnes of goods in six
wagons every day. So, farmers and traders can transport goods at their
will. It will cost Tk 1.17 to carry a kilogram of mango to Dhaka from
Rajshahi. And it is Tk 1.30 from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka.
The train will make a stoppage for loading mangoes at 14 stations on
the Chapainawabgonj-Dhaka railway route via Rajshahi.
Mayor of Rajshahi AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Deputy Commissioner
Hamidul Haque, West Zone General Manager of Bangladesh Railway Mihir
Kanti Guha and other high officials concerned were present at the
Rajshahi Station on the occasion of launching the special parcel
train.
Mihir Kanti Guha said parcel fare has been reduced 25 percent since
May 18 so that farmers and traders can transport mangoes easily. Not
only mangoes, the traders and growers can transport vegetables and
other seasonal fruits as well, he added.
The railway porters will conduct all sorts of the loading and
unloading works of the goods. To this end, the porters were imparted
need-based training on how to handle the goods from booking to loading
as well to unloading properly.
Meanwhile, following the directives of the prime minister, the post
and telecommunication ministry has arranged a truck of the postal
department to transport mangoes to Dhaka free of cost.
Post and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar inaugurated the
event at Puthiya Upazila in the district through a videoconference on
Tuesday last.
Bangladesh Postal Department under its ‘farmers-friendly postal
services’ programme will transport the mangoes of marginal and small
farmers and traders.
Deputy Commissioner Hamidul Haque said that the mango farmers and
traders can avail the transportation opportunities by contacting their
respective union nirbahi officers and upazila agriculture officers.
Officials said mango was cultivated on 26,150 hectares of areas in
Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts where it’s expected to yield
2,44,000 tonnes of mangoes this year.
Mango groves were also nurtured on 12,671 hectares of land in
Naogaon district where target was fixed to produce 1,61,242 tonnes of
mangoes while in Natore district is expected to produce 56,021 tonnes
of mangoes on 4,823 hectares of land.
BSS/AH/MRU/1845hrs