PM emphasises making railway staff better prepared

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the need for making the railway staff better prepared and alert to prevent train accidents, particularly during winter.

“I don’t know exactly why I see rail accidents occurring with the advent of winter, not only in our country but also throughout the world. Those who work in the railways should be made more alert while loco masters need to be provided training as well,” she said.

The Prime Minister expressed her deep shock at the casualties in Kasba train collusion while addressing the 34th meeting of the Board of Governors of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).

Sheikh Hasina, also the Chairperson of BEPZA Board of Governors, chaired the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office, reports UNB.

She said the rail communications are supposed to be the safest ones and her government is also giving importance to this sector.

Describing the accident as very shocking, she said, “We could protect ourselves from a natural disaster like Bulbul, but it’s unfortunate that an accident occurred here (at Kasba, Brahmanbaria).”

The Prime Minister said the Railways Minister has already gone to the spot and all necessary things are being done for the proper rescue operation.

She prayed for salvation of the departed souls of those who were killed and early recovery of the injured in the train collusion.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Munnujan Sufian were present.

PM's Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman conducted the meeting. PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan and PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were also present.