The current government of Bangladesh is committed to eradicating corruption that occurred during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. The Yunus government has changed many decisions made during the Hasina era and is preparing to change many more. Now the government has started taking steps to improve Bangladesh railways.
The Bangladesh Railway Ministry has canceled 24 trains running under contract. The companies that exploit them are accused of violating contractual rules. In a letter dated November 3, the ministry asked the director of Bangladesh Railways (BR) to inform companies that their contracts will be canceled from December 31 this year.
Private companies operating trains in Bangladesh
The Bangladesh government had handed over the operation of some trains to private companies for better maintenance and smooth functioning of the trains. According to a recent report by The Daily Star, 37 trains are operated by private operators, most of which are owned by four companies: LR Trading, TM Trading, SR Trading and NL Trading, which are allegedly owned by Ripon and his family. .
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These companies have not fulfilled the purpose for which the trains were leased. The companies have been accused of not offering good travel and safety to citizens, as well as many accusations of corruption. These companies were initially awarded the contract to operate trains for 4 years, but have been operating for over a decade.
The owner of these companies, Salahuddin Ripon, is believed to be associated with the Awami League. In the previous government, Ripon had reportedly obtained the contract by bribing some government ministers and dishonest BR officials.
BR Director Sardar Shahadat Ali said that after receiving the letter from the ministry, he instructed the officials of the eastern and western zones to take necessary initiatives in this regard.
