A DEMU train at Kamalapur Rail Station. PHOTO: MIZANUR RAHMAN KHAN] Dhaka, Aug 15: Former communications minister Syed Abul Hossain had bypassed objections by Bangladesh Railway officials and pushed for purchasing 20 Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU) trains from China, sources told The Independent. Senior officials had cast doubts on the financial feasibility of the deal. Experts had also warned that the Chinese trains would not be passenger friendly in a subtropical country like Bangladesh. The officials had further objected that the 20 Chinese trains, each with a capacity of just 300 passengers, would not be able to cater to Bangladesh’s large population, a majority of which preferred trains over buses and launches.
Notwithstanding these reservations, the government went ahead to sign the USD 58.31 million deal with a Chinese company on August 4, 2011. Director General of Bangladesh Railway Abu Taher and China’s Tangshan Railway Vehicle Co Ltd’s deputy managing director Jhen Daew had signed the agreement. The former communications minister and Chinese ambassador Zhang Xianyi were also present on the occasion.
The government had claimed that the DEMU trains would improve transportation in the country.
“The DEMU train services, however, have failed to impress the public. Passengers always complain of discomfort due to lack of ventilation and poor sanitation,” a senior official of Bangladesh Railway said on condition of anonymity. “These trains may ultimately end up as museum pieces,” he added.
The official alleged that certain people had financially benefitted by the deal. He, however, refused to name the persons who had received kickbacks.
Mohammad Hasan, a resident of Narayanganj, said, “I am employed with a private company and therefore have to travel to Dhaka daily. I have travelled by DEMU trains several times and it felt like hell. It’s suffocating inside the coaches because there are no fans and windows. The trains are much higher than the platforms, making it very difficult for the elderly, women and children to board them. are more than the platforms. Passengers are left sweating during the journey.”
Following complaints from passengers, the railway ministry had formed a five-member committee to probe into the problems in DEMU trains.
Railway minister Mujibul Huq told The Independent: “Yes, there were some teething problems during the launch of the service. But we have addressed the issues with the help of Chinese experts. Ventilation and fans have been installed inside the coaches.”
The minister denied the graft allegations. “I don’t know about any irregularities in procuring the DEMU trains. Bangladesh government imported them from China in accordance with its procurement policy,” he said.
Abu Taher said Bangladesh Railway had mounted extra stairs to help passengers on low-level platforms to board the trains. “Now, people don’t find it difficult to get into the coaches or get down. The remaining issues would be sorted out soon,’ he added.
He said the remaining DEMU trains would likely to be pressed into service next month. The routes would be Parbatipur-Thakurgaon, Parbatipur-Syedpur, Parbatipur-Rangpur-Lalmonirhat, Sylhet-Akhaura, Dhaka-Comilla, Chandpur-Laksam, Noakhali-Laksam and Dhaka-Joydevpur.