Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam . Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam today said the government will take measures to transform Bangladesh Railway (BR) from a loss-incurring entity into a profitable and service-oriented sector.

"The government no longer wants to see Bangladesh Railway as a loss-making organization. It has to be reorganized and turned into a profitable and service-oriented institution," he told a views-exchange meeting with officials of the ministry and Bangladesh Railway at Setu Bhaban here.

Alam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given special importance to the development of the railway and improvement of passenger services. 

In the election manifesto of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election, it was stated that the railway would be revitalized as the central backbone of national transport.

The minister said the premier has given special directives to prevent ticket black-marketing, curb corruption, and improve passenger services. 

He said instructions have been given to ensure smooth and harassment-free train journeys during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr.

At the meeting, he directed officials to prepare a practical action plan within the next 180 days for implementing the BNP's election manifesto.

He said within the next week, ways to reduce travel time on the Dhaka-Chattogram route would be explored and necessary steps would be taken accordingly.

State Ministers for Railways Habibur Rashid and Md Rajib Ahsan were present as special guests at the meeting.

Railways Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam presided over the meeting while Director General of Bangladesh Railway Md. Afzal Hossain, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railway, were present.