Bangladesh Railway on Saturday pressed into service three DEMU railcars in Chittagong, two of them for the commuters in the port city.
The third DEMU railcar would shuttle between the port city
and Laksham, railway officials said.Operated by two engines, the Chinese made, Diesel Electric Multiple Unit railcars are better known as DEMU.
Inaugurating the new service at Chittagong Railway Station, railways minister Majibul Hoque said the DEMU railcar service opened a new era in Bangladesh Railway’s history.
He also said that the new service would significantly reduce commuters’ sufferings.
At the inauguration, primary and mass education minister Absarul Amin Chowdhury and forest and environment minister Hasan Mahmud attended as special guests.
The railways minister urged the BR officials and employees to pay attention to proper maintenance of railway properties.
He said that anyone found neglecting responsibilities in this regard would face punitive action.
BR eastern zone general manager Tofazzal Hossain told New Age that two of the railcars would shuttle on Fauzdarhat, Saltghola and Janali Hat route with 16 stoppages.
The third railcar would shuttle between Chittagong and Laksham, he said.
There would be 21 stoppages between Chittagong and Laksham, he said.
He said two more DEMU railcars would be pressed into service soon to shuttle between the port city and Chittagong University.
BR eastern zone assistant chief operating superintendent Omar Faroque said that each DEMU railcar would carry 302 passengers, 151 seating and 151 standing.
A city commuter has to pay Tk 15 as fare for travelling 33 km, he said.
The fare for the 120 km journey between Laksham and Chittagong, has been set at Tk 60, he said.
Officials said that out of 20 DEMU railcars BR imported from China at a cost of $58.31 million, 14 arrived in the country.
-With New Age input
