Bangladesh Railway (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে ) (reporting mark BR) is the state-

owned rail transport agency of Bangladesh. It operates and maintains the entire railway
network of the country. BR is controlled by the Directorate General of Bangladesh
Railway under the Ministry of Communications along with Bangladesh Railway
Authority (BRA) which works for policy guidance of BR.

Bangladesh Railway covers a length of 2,855 route kilometers and employs 34,168
people[4]. BR exceeded its target revenue earnings in the fiscal year 2007-2008.[1] In 2007-
2008,BR launched new trains with new coaches and introduced regional passenger train
services between Dhaka and Kolkata. BR operates both inter-city and suburban rail
systems on a multi-gauge network of broad, metre and dual gauges. It also owns coach
production facilities.

History
Bangladesh Railway started its journey in 1862. It opened 53.11 kilometers of 5
ft 6 in (1,676 mm) (broad gauge) line for traffic on 15 November 1862 between Darsana
and Jagiti. The next 14.98 kilometers 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) (meter gauge) line was
opened for traffic on 4 January 1885. In 1891, the construction of then Assam-Bengal
Railway was taken up by the British Government assistance but that was later on taken
over by the Assam-Bengal Railway Company. On 1 July 1895, two sections of meter
gauge lines were opened between Chittagong and Comilla, a length of 149.89 kilometers
and between Laksam and Cahndpur, a length of 50.89 kilometers. Railway Companies
formed in England took up the construction and operation of these sections in middle and
late 19th century.[5]

At time of the partition of India in 1947, Bengal-Assam Railway was split up and the
portion of the system, about 2,603.92 kilometers fell within the boundary of then East
Pakistan and control remained with the central Government of Pakistan. Later with the
effect from 1 February 1961, Eastern Bengal Railway was renamed as Pakistan Eastern
Railway. Then in 1962, the control of Pakistan Eastern Railway was transferred from the
Central Government to the Government of East Pakistan and placed under the
management of a Railway Board with the effect from the financial year 1962-63 by the
presidential Order of 9 June 1962.[5]

As of 2005, the total length of railroad is 2,855 kilometres.[6] Of that, 660 Kms are broad
gauge tracks (mostly in the western region), 1,830 Kms are metre gauge tracks (mostly in
the central and eastern regions) and 365Kms are dual gauge tracks[7]. The gauge problem
is being tackled by adding third rails to the most important broad and metre gauge routes,
so that they become dual gauge. A major road-rail bridge at Jamuna opened in 1998 to
connect the previously detached east and west rail networks. On March 2008, the broad
gauge reached Dhaka, the national capital. Funding is being sought to upgrade the
network and transform Bangladesh Railway into a profitable business.[8]

[edit] Organisational structure

Map of Railway system in Bangladesh

For administrative convenience and operational reason from 3 June 1982, the function of
the Railway Board was vested with the Railway Division of the Ministry of
Communications with the Secretary of the Division working as the Director General of
Bangladesh Railway. BR was later bifurcated into two zones, East & West, under the
administrative control of two general managers, who are accountable to the Director
General of Bangladesh Railway. Subsequently on August 12, 1995 the day to day
operation of the Railway was separated from the Ministry and entrusted with director
general drawn from Railway professionals. For policy guidance, a 9 member Bangladesh
Railway Authority (BRA) was formed with the Minister of Communications as its
Chairman. The Director General of BR is assisted by Additional Director General and
Joint Director General to perform all administrative and policy making jobs.

The General Managers of the two zones are assisted by various departments who are
responsible for operation, maintenance and financial management. Each zone is again
divided in two divisions, which are the basic unit of operation. The division is headed by
a Divisional Railway Manager, who is assisted by Divisional Officers of departments
such as Personnel,Transportation, Commercial,Finance Mechanical, Way and Works
Signaling & Telecommunication, Electrical, Medical, Security forces etc. Besides there
are two workshop Divisions, one in each zone, located at Pahartali and Saidpur, each
being headed by a Divisional Superintendent . Further there is a locomotive workshop
headed by Chief Executive at Parbatipur for general overhauling of both Broad gauge &
Metre gauge locomotives.

Bangladesh Railway also has Railway Training Academy headed by a Rector, a planning
cell headed by a Chief Planning Officer, Stores Department headed by a Chief Controller
of Stores and Accounts Department headed by an Additional Director General (Finance)
for coordinating and advising Accounting and financial management activities of the two
zones.

Services
A Dhaka (Airport)-Chittagong InterCity train ticket for 3 adults and a minor

Bangladesh Railway provides various types of services ranging from shuttle service for
university students to freight and cargo service. But still BR could not make profit as it is
providing services to the nation at a subsidised rate in order to help the country's
economy and for the ease of people.

[edit] Passenger Service

Bangladesh Railway is one of the principal modes of transportation in the country.

During 2004-2005, about 42 million passengers were transported by Bangladesh
Railway[9]. Bangladesh Railway introduced Intercity Train services in 1985. At present
there are 54 Intercity Trains running. Around 38.5% of the total passengers of
Bangladesh Railway are being carried by the Intercity trains which contribute
approximately 73.3% of the total earning of passenger traffic.[9]

[edit] Accommodation classes

Bangladesh Railway features mainly three classes of Travel. Air Conditioned Class, First
Class and Second Class. Third Class was withdrawn with effect from August 1, 1989.
Maximum trains have the First Class and Second Class only. Second Class is divided into
Shovon Chair, Shovon, and Shulov sub-classes. In some trains a separate mail
compartment is present. In Inter-City and long-distance trains, a pantry car and a power
car is included in the center. All Inter-City trains are partially airconditioned, feature
padded leather seats and berths and provide passengers with on-demand sheets, pillows,
blankets, as well as meals and refreshments.
 Class Description
Tapanukul This is the most expensive class. This air conditioned coach is present
(তাপানুকূল) only on popular Inter-City routes. The coaches are carpeted, have
First class AC sleeping accommodation, ample leg room and have privacy features
like personal coupes.
First class (প্রথম This class is basically non air-conditioned. Have sleeping berths, ample
শ্রেণী ) leg room.
First class Chair Seater coach with a total of five seats in a row on broad gauge trains
(প্রথম শ্রেণী and four seats in a row on Metre gauge trains. used for day travel
চেয়ার ) between cities.
2nd Class- The 2nd Class Shovon Chair is basically a seater coach preferred by
Shovon Chair most of the middle-class passengers. Has a total of five seats in a row
(২য় শ্রেণী-শোভন on broad gauge trains and four seats in a row on Metre gauge trains
চেয়ার)
2nd Class- One of the cheapest class. seats are not much comfortable.
Shovon
(২য় শ্রেণী-
শোভন)
2nd Class- The cheapest accommodation, with seats made of pressed wood or steel
Shulov and are cushioned. Only found in sub-urban and short-distance routes.
(২য় শ্রেণী- সুলভ) Although entry into the compartment is guaranteed, a sitting seat is not
guaranteed. These coaches are usually very crowded.

[edit] Fares and ticketing

BR Fares are relatively cheap than the bus fares. Ticketing services are available at all
railway stations across Bangladesh. All railway stations are computerised and connected
to a central network. Printed tickets are provided to the passengers. Tickets can be bought
two weeks before the journey. 100% refund is available if the ticket is returned 48hrs
prior to departure.

[edit] Freight and cargo service

The railway has been facing tough competition with other modes of transport for the high
rated traffic, which pay more revenue. As a national carrier, BR is obliged to carry
essential commodities like food grains, fertilizer, jute, cement, coal, iron and steel, stone
& boulders, petroleum products, salt, sugar etc. to the remote corners of the country at a
cheaper rate. The freight traffic during 2004-2005 was 3,206 thousand Metric Tons.

Bangladesh Railway transports containers from Chittagong to Dhaka. Special type Flat
Wagons required for container movement were initially arranged by converting some
existing wagons. Subsequently 80 bogie container flats were procured from China and
another 100 bogie container flats were procured from India. An Inland Container Depot
has been opened at Dhaka with custom and port facilities for clearance of container
traffic. Exclusive container train was introduced on 5 August,1991. Since then, volume of
container traffic gained momentum.

[edit] Railway ferry service

There were 25 marine vessels under Mechanical Department at the end of 2004-2005.
The fleet of the marine vessels consists of 2 Passenger vessels, 4 Tugs, 4 Wagon Ferry
Barges, 5 Pontoon ramps, 5 Flats and 5 Berthing flats.

[edit] Workshops
Bangladesh Railway has sheds, depots and workshops for maintenance. Rolling Stock,
Locomotives are maintanied in 3 places viz shed shop & CLW. Carriage & Wagons are
maintained in two places i.e. in C&W Depot & workshop.

Locomotives are maintained in following workshops :

 Central Locomotive Workshop at Parbatipur, Dinajpur.

 Diesel Workshop at Pahartali, Chittagong.
 Diesel Workshop, Dhaka.
 Diesel Workshop at Parbatipur, Dinajpur.

Carriages & wagons are maintained in following workshops

 C & W Shop at Saidpur, Nilphamari

 C&W shop at Pahartali, Chittagong.

[edit] Existing railway stations

Kamalapur Railway Station, the central railway station in Dhaka

Bangladesh Railway had a total of 454 stations at the end of the year 2004-2005. These
include one block hut, thirteen train halts and four goods booking points.

 Jessore, Bangladesh - junction - BG

  Shantahar - Dual gauge junction in Bogra district
 Abdulpur - Dual gauge junction
 Gede - W - broad gauge
 Poradoho - broad gauge junction
 Bogra - proposed broad gauge junction
 Darshana Junction - broad gauge
 Ishwardi - W - broad gauge junction for Sirajganj and Jamuna.
 Ishwardi bypass - W - dual gauge
 Kanchon - W - metre gauge
 Sirajganj - W - terminus of branch from Ishwardi - river port - bypassed by
Jamuna bridge in 2003[10]
 Pabna - W - BG - branch terminus (used to be through route)
 Bagerhat - W - BG - branch terminus in southwest.
 Joydepur - E - DG - dual gauge junction
 Syedpur- metre gauge
 Sylhet - metre gauge
 Bhairab Bazar - metre gauge
 Darsana - broad gauge
 Khulna - broad gauge
 Parbatipur
 Parbotipur - Junction with break of gauge
 Jamtoil
 Faridur - SW
 Khulna - SW
 Basabari - SW - branch terminus
 Jarla - E - MG - terminus branch
 Tongi - E - Dual gauge junction just north of Dacca
 Dhaka - E - Dual gauge since 2007
o Kamalapur Rail Station - E - the main rail station in Dhaka
o Tejgaon - E
o Banani - E
o Cantonment - E
o Airport - E
 Chittagong - E - metre gauge
 Abrahimabad - E - dual gauge
 Tangail - E - dual gauge - near Jamuna bridge.
 Gouripur, Bangladesh - E - MG - junction
 Laksham - E - MG - junction

[edit] Proposed duplication

 Chinki Astana - E
 Nazir Hat - E - MG - terminus of branch from Chittagong
 Chandipur, Bangladesh - E - MG - terminus of branch line from Laksham - river
port.
[edit] Train ferry

A train ferry goes from:

 Balashi Ghat to Bahadurabad Ghat [11].

[edit] Timeline
 2006: $430m plan to upgrade railways in Bangladesh [12]

 2007: Sonadia, an island 7 km west of Cox's Bazaar seems likely to be chosen as
a deep water port.[13]

 2009: Canarail to advise on duplication Laksam to Chinki Astana of Dhaka to

Chittagong line [14]

[edit] Railway links with adjacent countries

 India - Yes. Bi-weekly passenger train service. The Maitri Express between
Dhaka and Kolkata started in April 2008 using the Gede-Darsana route[15] In
addition there is freight train service from Singhabad, Petrapole, Radhikapur,
Mahisasan in India to Rohanpur, Benapole, Birol, Shabazpur in Bangladesh,
respectively.
 Myanmar -Not yet - 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in)/1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) gauge in
Bangladesh and 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) in Myanmar.

[edit] Maps
 UN Map 2004 - no Jamuna Bridge
 UNHCR Atlas Map 2008 - no Jamuna Bridge
 Rail route map
 Rail route map - Does not show dual gauge or Jamuna bridge.
 [2]
 UNJCL Map
 Rail route map from Bangladesh Railway
 Rail route map 2002 - Does not show dual gauge or Jamuna bridge or border
stations or borders.
 UNJCL Map
 UNHCR Map - Does not show Jamuna bridge