Train services resume after 30 hours

Train services resumed on Wednesday across the country after the railway running staff withdrew their protest programme.

The railway’s running staff opted for a work stoppage on Tuesday midnight to push for unmet demands, including the addition of running allowances in their basic pay for pension calculations and gratuity benefits.

They called off their indefinite strike after 30 hours early on Wednesday, according to a bdnews24.com report.

The Joydebpur Commuter train was the first to leave Kamalapur Station on Wednesday morning, said Station Master Md Anwar Hossain.

“We received information that the running staff called off their work stoppage after 2:30 AM. Following this, preparations were made to resume train operations. The first to depart was the Joydebpur Commuter, followed by the Rajshahi-bound Dhumketu Express. The Parjatak Express left for Cox’s Bazar at 7:15 AM. Since the morning, a total of nine trains have departed. However, the Parabat Express faced a significant delay, starting its journey approximately 03 hours and 45 minutes behind schedule,” said he.

Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Employees Union General Secretary Md Mojibur Rahman announced to call off the strike and resume train services in the dead of night at the residence of Railways Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.

"The advisor has assured us that our issues will be resolved by (Wednesday). A notification regarding the recruits after 2022 would be issued through the finance ministry,” said Mojibur, who went out of reach after Tuesday evening.