ACC sues ex-railway DG Shamsuzzaman, 5 others over Tk358cr luggage van project loss
Bangladesh Railway purchased 125 luggage vans in 2023 at a cost of Tk358cr with the objective of boosting freight transport capacity
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against six individuals, including former director general of Bangladesh Railway Md Shamsuzzaman, over losses of Tk358 crore linked to a luggage van procurement project.
The case was lodged by ACC Deputy Assistant Director Habibur Rahman, a senior ACC official confirmed the development to The Business Standard today (16 November).
Among the other accused are former general manager Mizanur Rahman, Harun-or-Rashid, Project Director Abdul Matin Chowdhury and two others.
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According to the case statement, Bangladesh Railway purchased 125 luggage vans in 2023 at a cost of Tk358 crore with the objective of boosting freight transport capacity. However, due to inadequate planning and weak coordination, most of the vans now remain underutilised.
Although the fleet was launched amid considerable publicity, the expected rise in revenue did not follow; instead, income from freight operations has fallen. The luggage vans had been acquired to facilitate the transport of goods, passenger luggage and perishable items.
Notably, the issue first drew wider attention after a TBS report published in August titled "Railway eyes pvt sector for lifeline as Tk358cr luggage vans lie idle."
