Saidpur:A critical shortage of manpower and essential raw materials has significantly impacted repair and production activities at Saidpur Railway Workshop, the largest railway workshop in Bangladesh. This situation raises concerns about the safety and reliability of train services in the country's western region.
According to United News of Bangladesh, railway officials and workers have reported that the workshop is struggling to perform scheduled maintenance. A recent incident in Akkelpur, where a coach of the Barendra Express derailed due to a broken spring, highlights the growing mechanical issues. These problems are becoming more frequent on trains in the western region, with the workshop's shortages making timely repairs difficult.
An inspection of intercity trains on the Chilahati-Saidpur and Khulna-Rajshahi routes found several issues, including broken seats, damaged windows, and malfunctioning fans and lights. Poor bathroom conditions and dysfunctional water-supply lines further exacerbate the problem. Despite the need for repairs, the shortage of resources at the workshop is causing delays.
Workshop sources revealed that 600 out of 749 pieces of machinery are lying idle due to a lack of skilled technicians and funds. This has led to decreased production and repair output, contributing to a shortage of serviceable coaches. Many coaches are not repaired within scheduled periods, worsening the situation.
A train inspector noted that makeshift repairs for load-bearing springs increase the risk of major accidents. Instead of replacing springs every five years, temporary fixes are used, which can lead to excessive shaking and safety risks.
The western railway zone operates a significant number of trains and freight wagons, with many of its coaches being decades old. Mominul Islam, in charge of the carriage shop, stated that sufficient manpower could enhance repair capacity and reduce the need for importing coaches, saving substantial costs.
Divisional Superintendent Shah Sufi Nur Mohammad mentioned that many posts are vacant, forcing workers to put in extra hours. The shortage of raw materials is also a major challenge, disrupting production due to inadequate and delayed supplies. The issue has been reported to higher authorities.
Saidpur Railway Station Master Obaidul Islam added that mechanical problems often take coaches out of service for months, affecting ticket availability and causing passengers to travel without tickets, resulting in revenue loss. Schedule disruptions are common due to mechanical issues.
Abdullah Al Mamun, divisional traffic superintendent of the Lalmonirhat Railway Division, acknowledged that manpower shortages across the network severely affect operations, with Saidpur Railway Workshop's shortages being a significant obstacle.