BR getting ready to resume train service

NEWS DESK

Bangladesh Railway (BR) has started taking preparation to resume train service after withdrawal of the lockdown amid the challenge of checking the spread of coronavirus among passengers with its limited resources.

Sources said even though the state-owned train operator has not given any directives to operate trains during the Eid festival, it held a meeting at the director general's office to prepare for resuming passenger train service during the post-lockdown time.

They said the meeting mainly focused on 14 guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS) for railways to follow on trains and stations after resumption of train service.

"We are at a discussion stage. We are discussing necessary preparations to be taken for the post-lockdown period," said Director General Mohammad Shamsuzzaman.

He said the meeting focused on the guidelines of the DGHS for railways and necessary steps to be needed by BR.

The DG also said the government has not given directions to resume passenger train service neither before Eid-ul-Fitr nor after it.

When asked about measures they would take for passengers, he said maintaining distance, hygiene, hand wash etc are getting focus as part of preparations.

Sources said BR has been considering selling half of train tickets online aimed at ensuring distance and planning to provide liquid soaps or sanitizers on every compartment in line with the guidelines.

But it has many limitations to fully follow the guidelines.

As per the guidelines, BR will have to change seat covers after every journey, wash handles and toilets frequently, keep distance from one passenger to another while getting on and down, ensure quarantine place on trains in case of any suspected passengers.

However, sources said BR has no capacity to wash trains or change seat covers after journey. Besides, cleaning railway stations always remains a challenge for the BR with its limited staff and lack of washing plants at big stations.

BR could never prevent passengers without tickets from travelling on the rooftops of trains or standing inside particularly on local trains.

The DG said they will try to manage the crowd with its railway police and maintain hygiene at stations and trains with its employees.

It is learnt that BR took steps to set up five washing plants at Kamalapur Railway Station few years ago which are yet to be completed.

But official sources said it would be difficult to maintain the budget for coronavirus pandemic cause when the loss-making government agency's daily earnings will come down drastically due to suspension of train service.