Dhaka:Bangladesh Railway is preparing to invite a fresh tender for a vendor to manage its online ticketing system before its current contract with Shohoz.com expires in February next year.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this information was disclosed during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Railways, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday. The meeting, chaired by Committee Chairman Mohammad Ali Asghar, discussed the importance of transparency in managing the online railway ticketing system.
The Ministry of Railways also updated the committee about the regular operation of container trains on the Chattogram-Dhaka route and the transportation of fuel and food grains to various destinations by rail. However, there has been a decline in the number of freight trains due to a shortage of metre-gauge locomotives in Bangladesh Railway's fleet.
A development project proposal for procuring 30 metre-gauge locomotives has recently been approved, and a tender has been invited to procure an additional 30 locomotives under a previously approved project. The acquisition of these locomotives is expected to enhance freight services by 2029, thereby increasing revenue for Bangladesh Railway. Additionally, the procurement of another 20 metre-gauge locomotives under the World Bank-funded Green Railway project is underway.
The meeting was informed about the phased addition of 200 broad-gauge coaches to Bangladesh Railway's fleet, with 18 coaches already received. The committee also reviewed the progress of the ministry's budget implementation for the 2026-27 fiscal year and discussed various aspects of Bangladesh Railway's land holdings.
Other topics addressed included the installation of solar panels on railway land and structures. The committee recommended appointing lawyers for Bangladesh Railway's legal department to resolve pending court cases and suggested steps for making the railway profitable and improving safety at level crossings. It also proposed a feasibility study for a new railway line from Bhanga to Barishal and a morning commuter train service between Benapole and Khulna.
The meeting was attended by committee members, including State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, Abdul Mohit Talukder, Esrat Sultana Elen Bhutto, and Muhammad Azizur Rahman, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Railways and the Parliament Secretariat.