The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway has earned revenue worth around Tk 5.9645 billion during the last 2017-18 fiscal year up by Tk 1.1834 billion over the previous 2016-17 fiscal.
Of the total earning, Tk 3.5569 billion was obtained by carrying passengers while Tk 1.5972 billion from goods transportation. Tk 4.7811 billion was revenue earning in 2016-17 fiscal.
Mihir Kanti Guha, Chief Commercial Manager of the zone, said 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.
46 mail and commuters or shuttle and 35 local trains are being operated on various long and short-distance routes for 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 computerised 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, said 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 Tk 31.865 billion during last nine years till June last and eight other projects are being implemented with an estimated cost of around Tk 77.3754 billion 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. Remodelling 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 signalling system rehabilitation in 26 stations and signalling works on Darshana-Ishwardi-Sirajgonj Bazar are on final stage, said a BSS report.
The west zone is committed to provide safe, reliable, cost-effective and time efficient rail transport services everywhere in the zone through modernising, expanding and maintaining rail system in a manner which supports government strategies for economic, social and environmental development.
Modernising signalling, interlocking and telecom systems and up gradation of locomotives, coaches and other rolling stocks are being maintained.
