The problem of the Bangladesh Railway has been discussed for a long time. Many people are holding sit-in programs at various railway stations in the country including Dhaka. However, no statement was received from the Bangladesh Railway authorities or the head of government in this regard. In the meantime, the problem of power shortage has arisen in the country. It may not be possible to solve the power problem overnight. Because it doesn’t rely on overnight fixes. But the problems of Bangladesh Railways are not as intractable as electricity problems. These can be resolved by taking appropriate decisions and measures.
Recently, a student of Dhaka University, Mohiuddin Roni, is holding a movement and sit-in program for the 6-point demand. On review, it can be seen that if his demands are implemented, many problems with railways will be solved. So, how the demands can be implemented, I am highlighting them one by one.
First: Ticket purchase and payment gateway issues
There are many complaints about Sahaj.com’s payment gateway for purchasing tickets. It is not a big or unsolvable problem. Bangladesh is still using various payment gateways suitable for use by various institutions, from Bikash to MasterCard or credit. In which there are no complaints. If there is a complaint of the customer, they are being solved completely with appropriate information. By using any of these payment gateways, it is possible to make the payment system of the passengers 100% hassle-free in purchasing tickets.
Second: Prevention of ticket black market
Till now Bangladesh Railway is selling tickets online and directly at the counter. Ticket black marketers are creating a ticket crisis by first buying tickets online and from the counter at the price set by the government. Then when passengers are desperate for tickets, they are selling those tickets at high prices. To solve this problem, Railways has recently issued instructions that no more than 4 tickets can be purchased using one NID card. But this is not a viable solution. Because even if a black marketer buys 4 tickets, it is not less in any part. Moreover, if he wants, he can buy many tickets by using the NID card of others in his family and buy 4 tickets with each ID card.
It is possible to solve this problem in another way. Until now, the passenger information is not written anywhere on the ticket of Bangladesh Railway. So they are easily changing hands. But if this is done – the name and NID card number of the traveling passenger will be mentioned in the ticket and the officer in charge of the train will check the information of the ticket with the NID of the passenger. In this case, the passenger has to provide his necessary information compulsorily while purchasing the ticket online or offline. Those below 18 years who do not have a NID card, will buy it with their birth registration number. Since the person whose name and NID the ticket is purchased and the information mentioned in the ticket has to travel, so there will be no opportunity for one person to buy the ticket for another person or to travel.
In this case, a question may arise, many people sell tickets due to the cancellation of the journey due to unavoidable reasons. What will happen to them? Answer: The counter should have the opportunity to return the ticket up to a certain period. If desired, the refund system can be kept online as well. It will increase the convenience of passengers. But in no case, there will be no opportunity to sell tickets to any third party. Also, the ticket of the traveling passenger and the details of the ticket must be checked by the officer in charge.
Third: Implementation of equal benefits for public ticket purchase
If the second method mentioned above is implemented, the passengers will be able to enjoy the facilities equally by booking their own tickets. There will be no harassment of any third party.
Fourth: Taking long-term plans for the development of railway infrastructure including increasing the number of trains
In the last few years, Bangladesh has seen significant development in all sectors including communication. In this case too, keeping in mind the need, by making an adequate budget through proper supervision, it is possible to increase the number of railways and improve the quality of the railways that are running. However, it is not enough to just sit and prepare the budget. Rather, it should be monitored whether effective development has been done according to the budget sent. Along with that, proper supervision after construction should also be ensured.
Fifth: Continuous monitoring of railway officials
Not only should announcements and budgets be developed. Rather, all corruption in this sector should be suppressed. Since they are not wet at all times, so that they do not abuse, in addition to monitoring them, CC cameras should be installed and monitored at all places of the railway including rails.
Sixth: Food at a fair price, a healthy environment, and free water
Strict instructions should be given from the ministry to ensure that food is sold at a fair price to the passengers and that all areas including washrooms and basins of the train are kept clean. Along with this, through the implementation of the fifth method, all-time supervision over them must also be ensured.
At the same time, it should be ensured that no one can travel outside the number of seats and the number of tickets sold so that no one can travel outside the train with any remaining seats. The sale of standing tickets should be stopped completely.
Besides, Bangladesh Railway website should be regularly updated and adequate information should be created. If there is a problem, there is a solution. It can be resolved only if the authorities are willing.
Writer
Jeion Ahmed
Student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)
Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (CUET)
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