Railway aims to raise freight share beyond current 3-4% thru capacity expansion: Minister

Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today (15 July) said in Jatiya Sangsad that Bangladesh Railway currently carries only around 3 to 4% of the country's total domestic freight, while the overwhelming majority of goods are transported by road and inland waterways.

Responding to a scripted tabled question from ruling party lawmaker Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3) in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said, "At present, Bangladesh Railway's share of the country's total domestic freight transport is very limited, accounting for approximately 3 to 4%. Most freight is transported through road and waterway networks."

He said the Railways Ministry has already adopted short, medium and long-term strategies to enhance the railway's freight handling capacity and increase revenue.
"The ministry has undertaken different plans to increase Bangladesh Railway's freight transport capacity and revenue earnings," he said.

Highlighting the key initiatives, the minister said the government plans to operate a larger number of freight trains by making full use of double-track facilities on the country's major commercial routes, including the Dhaka-Chattogram corridor and other important railway sections.

He said the ministry is also working to procure new freight wagons and locomotives to strengthen operational capacity.

In addition, Shaikh Rabiul Alam said the government is focusing on expanding regional and sub-regional railway connectivity, establishing Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and logistics hubs, and ensuring the commercial utilisation of mega railway projects to boost freight transportation.

He expressed hope that the implementation of these initiatives would significantly increase the share of rail freight in the country's overall goods transport system in the coming years.