Tk 16,263 cr for passenger-friendly railway system

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SANGSAD BHABAN, June 13, 2018 (BSS) – An allocation of Taka 16,263 crore has been made for the Railways Ministry in the proposed budget for fiscal 2019-20 (FY20).

“The present government is attaching a top priority to the railway sector in order to make railway an economical, safe and environment-friendly mode of transport,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the budget in the House today as Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal felt sick while placing it for 2019-20 fiscal.

She said the government has undertaken a 30-year master plan spanning from 2016 to 2045 at a cost of Tk 5,53,662 crore. As many as 230 projects have been identified under this plan for implementation by 2045.

The allocation is Tk 5,033 crore more than the revised budget of the previous FY 2018-19 of Tk 11,230 crore. The proposed budget of the fiscal 2018-19 for the ministry was Tk 14,542 crore.

Under the budget, Tk 3,664 crore was proposed for operating (non-development) expenditure and Tk 12,599 crore for development expenditure of railways ministry.

“I express my firm belief that implementation of the projects undertaken to develop the railway transportation system will ease the public transport, largely reduce transport costs, expand business and commerce, create new employment opportunity and improve the socio-economic condition of the people,” Sheikh Hasina said.

She made a history with unfolding the national budget in the House and said steps have been taken to construct 1,110.50 km dual gauge double rail track and 52 new rail track, procure 100 locomotives.

Besides, the government will construct two ICDs, procure locomotive simulators, construct three major bridges, procure 1,120 passenger coaches, modernize/construct three railway workshops, and modernize the signaling system under various development projects.

“The feasibility study to construct Dhaka-Chattogram high speed trains is in progress,” the Prime Minister said.