Rail operations to resume Monday, intercity on Thursday

Railway services are resuming in the country from tomorrow, Monday, with primarily resumption of freight trains.

Mail, local and commuter trains will start operating from Tuesday and intercity trains from Thursday.

The railway authorities confirmed the development.

Sources said the decision was taken at a meeting of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus with secretaries of different ministries. Railway secretary also participated in the meeting.

Sources also said railways secretary Humayun Kabir sought directives about resumption of rail communication during the meeting.

The chief adviser said railways operation can be resumed if there is no problem.

Later the officials of the ministry decided to resume operation in phases.

Director general of railways Sarder Sahadat Ali told Prothom Alo this evening that they have decided to resume the operation in phases.

Meanwhile, railway security force is going on work abstention to press home 12-point demand including they be taken under home ministry. The railway authorities are trying to reach a consensus through dialogue.

Operations of train communications suspended on 18 July. Later, operations of mail, local and commuter trains in shorter distance were resumed. Some freight trains and oil tankers also operated.

As the Student Against Discrimination (SAD) declared non-cooperation movement on 4 August, rail communication was suspended for an indefinite period.

Although educational institutions were reopened and curfew lifted, rail communication remained suspended.

Sources said the railway authorities have all the preparation and human resources to resume the operation as rail tracks were not damaged. But the railways ministry’s secretary and director general could not take any decision due to no such directives from higher authorities.