Railways forms committee to verify specifications for new locomotive purchase

The Ministry of Railways has formed a probe committee to scrutinise technical and operational specifications for procuring 30 metre-gauge diesel locomotives for Bangladesh Railways (BR).

The procurement is part of the Chattogram–Dohazari line conversion project, which will upgrade the metre-gauge track to dual 1000mm/1676mm gauge, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

The locomotives will be procured via open tender based on the committee's recommendations.

The committee will assess draft specifications considering locomotive performance, component reliability, modern technology, energy efficiency, spare parts availability, international standards, and suitability for Bangladeshi conditions. A report is expected within 15 working days.

Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Railways, will serve as convenor. The committee includes an additional director general of BR as secretary, along with BR's director general, the managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit, and a BUET mechanical engineering professor.

In 2021, BR imported 30 metre-gauge locomotives from South Korea for Tk1,148 crore to expand capacity and improve passenger services. 

Many of these engines, however, proved unsuitable for all routes and suffered frequent breakdowns, raising concerns over their effectiveness.

Md Afzal Hossain, BR's Director General, told The Business Standard, "Diverse opinions prompted the formation of this committee. It will review all aspects and make recommendations, after which we will prepare tender documents and invite bids. We aim to start the process quickly."

Bangladesh Railways is currently grappling with a severe locomotive shortage. Less than half of its engines are operational, and frequent repairs disrupt and shrink passenger services.