Trade
2 years ago

Apparel makers call for increasing number of freight trains, executing railway projects soon

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Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called on the government to increase the number of trains on Dhaka-Chattogram route, especially freight ones, in order to facilitate transportation of export-import cargoes.

The apparel trade body also stressed the need to speed up the execution of railway development projects to boost the trade and commerce activities, according to a BGMEA statement.

The BGMEA made the call at a meeting with railways minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan at the Railway Bhaban in the city on Tuesday.

The economy of Bangladesh is growing fast, which has reinforced the demand for upgrading railway connectivity across the country, BGMEA president Faruque Hassan said at the meeting.

He urged the government to speed up implementation of the ongoing railway projects, including installation of new rail tracks, upgrade of single line to double track, and conversion of the existing rail lines into dual gauge.

The completion of double-track work will reduce the travel time on the rail route, he added.

He also requested the minister to increase the number of trains on Dhaka-Chattogram route, especially freight trains, to facilitate transportation of export-import cargoes.

The BGMEA further requested the minister to launch a special demu train service on Dhaka-Sreepur route for easy communication of workers, employees and owners of garment and textile factories.

Their other demands included implementation of the inland container depot (ICD) project in Gazipur's Dhirashram area.

The trade body also stressed the need for constructing an ICD on the western bank of the river Jamuna under Sirajganj district, saying that it would facilitate transportation of raw materials for readymade garment (RMG) and essential commodities being imported from India.

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