ZCZC
BSS- 02
RAILWAY-REVENUE-INCOME (with picture)
BR west zone earns Tk 596.45cr revenue in 2017-18 FY
RAJSHAHI, Aug 6, 2018 (BSS) – The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway has
earned revenue worth around Taka 596.45 crore during the last 2017-18 fiscal
year up by Taka 118.34 crore over the previous 2016-17 fiscal.
Of the total earning, Taka 355.69 crore was obtained by carrying passengers
while Taka 159.72 crore from goods transportation. Taka 478.11 crore was
revenue earning in 2016-17 fiscal.
Mihir Kanti Guha, Chief Commercial Manager of the zone, told BSS that the
earning is gradually increasing. The zone, covering Rajshahi, Rangpur and
Khulna divisions, has been operating 139 trains including 46 intercity ones
on different routes also connecting the capital Dhaka at present.
Forty-six mail and commuters or shuttle and 35 local trains are being
operated on various long and short-distance routes which are very popular
among the passengers.
He stated that the number of passengers on various routes, where the
intercity trains ply, especially those connecting the capital Dhaka has
increased significantly in the last couple of years.
For the betterment of the passengers in general, he said 31 major stations
have been brought under the modern computerized seat reservation and
ticketing system. Some of those including Rajshahi have launched ticket
selling, seat reservation and other requisite privileges through online
system.
Mihir Kanti, however, said the revenue earning could be enhanced to a
great extent if the huge numbers of non-functional stations are re-launched
as early as possible.
Shah Newaj, Chief Operating Superintendent of the zone, said 65 out of
total 226 stations remained inoperative for long due to various problems
including shortage of stationmaster, points man, shunting man, booking clerk
and other necessary staffs.
Mujibur Rahman, General Manager of the zone, told BSS that many of the
non-functioning stations are expected to be functional when the process of
manpower recruitment is completed.
In order to improve passengers services and the sector as well,
implementation works of eight development projects were completed after
spending around Taka 3,186.5 crore during last nine years till June last and
eight other projects are being implemented with an estimated cost of around
Taka 7,737.54 crore at present.
Procurement of 120 broad gauge passenger coaches, six BG break vans and
one BG and one MG cranes were completed while many passenger coaches and
wagons were repaired and rehabilitated in Syedpur Railway Workshop.
Construction works of a 65-kilomter new railway line from Khulna to Mongla
are moving ahead. Remodeling works of Khulna station and rehabilitation of
326 railway gates are progressing.
Rahman said construction works of two 122-kilometer new railway lines one
from Kasiani to Gopalganj Gobra and other from Ishwardi to Dhalarchar via
Pabna is touching to end.
Renovation works of railway tracks on different sections from Parbatipur to
Birol via Panchagarh and Kanchan, from Lalmonirhat to Burimari, from Syedpur
to Chilahati and from Rajshahi to Chapainawabganj via Rohanpur and Amnura
were completed.
Implementation works of signaling system rehabilitation in 26 stations and
signaling works on Darshana-Ishwardi-Sirajgonj Bazar are on final stage.
The west zone is committed to provide safe, reliable, cost-effective and
time efficient rail transport services everywhere in the zone through
modernizing, expanding and maintaining rail system in a manner which supports
government strategies for economic, social and environmental development.
Modernizing signaling, interlocking and telecom systems and up gradation of
locomotives, coaches and other rolling stocks are being maintained.
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