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SANGSAD BHABAN, Sept 09, 2026 (BSS) - Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today told in Jatiya Sangsad that the Bangladesh Railway has made an earning of TK  225 crore more over the last six months compared with the corresponding period last year as the government is taking steps to reduce operational and maintenance costs and increase revenue.

“Over the past six months, Bangladesh Railway earned TK 225 crore more than it did last year. So, the loss has declined by TK 225 crore…,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while replying to a supplementary question from ruling party lawmaker Lutfur Rahman (Cox’s Bazar-3) during the question-answer session in Parliament today.

He said Bangladesh Railway recorded a loss of TK 1,890 crore this year, while the government has been working to reduce the financial burden of the state-run railway.

“It is true that our railway incurs losses,” the minister said, adding that many railway lines were established in the 1930s, 1940s and 1970s.

He said the old metre-gauge lines have increased maintenance costs, particularly because spare parts for some railway equipment are no longer readily available.

“We are trying to reduce this cost,” he said.

About increasing train services on the profitable Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka route, the minister said there is a strong demand for the service but the railway cannot currently increase the number of trains due to shortages of locomotives and coaches.

“There is a demand for the Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka railway service, but only two pairs of trains currently operate because of shortages of locomotives and coaches,” he said.

The minister said the government has already undertaken two projects to procure locomotives and coaches and expects to receive them within a short time.

He also said the government has received several private-sector proposals to operate trains on the Cox’s Bazar route.

“We are examining and considering those proposals. We hope that, through private-sector initiatives as well, we will be able to ensure train services on this profitable route within a short time,” he said.
 
Replying to another supplementary question from opposition lawmaker Marzia Begum (women’s seat-38), the minister said the government has planned to establish railway connectivity in 10 of the 15 districts that currently remain outside the national railway network.

“At present, 49 districts of Bangladesh have railway connectivity, meaning 15 districts do not have railway connections. We have taken plans to establish new railway links in 10 of these 15 districts. Lakshmipur is among those 10 districts,” he said.

He said feasibility studies have already started in five of the proposed 10 districts, including Manikganj, and the feasibility study for Lakshmipur has also begun.

“We believe that after completion of the feasibility studies, Lakshmipur will receive priority among the 10 districts that we want to bring under the railway network,” the minister said.

The minister said the government considers expansion of railway connectivity important for improving communication as well as facilitating the transportation of agricultural and commercial goods.