Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The railways ministry has sought 7.05-percent lower funds in the upcoming FY26 Annual Development Programme (ADP) than the current fiscal year's allocation as the interim government has taken a tougher stance on the misuse of public funds, officials said on Monday.
According to the Planning Commission, the ministry has demanded Tk 95.06 billion to implement the ongoing and future development projects.
In FY25, the government allocated Tk 102.27 billion in the ADP for the ministry.
The ministry cut its FY26 fund demand mainly in the project aid part, seeking higher allocation from the government's internal resources, commission officials said.
It demanded Tk 35.27 billion in project aid, Tk 24.20 billion less than the current allocation.
On the other hand, it demanded Tk 59.79 billion from the government exchequer, Tk 16.99 billion more than the current allocation, according to commission officials.
A Planning Commission official said, "We are scrutinising the railway ministry's fund demand. Allocations for all development projects are being scrutinised."
The state-owned Bangladesh Railway (BR) invested billions over the last one-and-a-half decade to revive the long-struggling rail services.
But it failed to improve services in both passenger and freight segments, which made it a losing concern.
Railway services are not regarded as up to the mark due to schedule disruptions and poor quality.
The Planning Commission is preparing the FY26 ADP, which is likely to be finalised next month.
Bangladesh Railway is currently implementing some 29 development projects, including investment and technical assistance schemes, at a combined cost of Tk 1.31 trillion.
For these projects, the government allocated Tk 128.70 billion in the current ADP. There are some mega projects, such as the Jamuna Railway Bridge, Padma Railway Bridge, and Dohazari-Ramu-Cox's Bazar line.
kabirhumayan10@gmail.com