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OPINION

Western Zone Railway
It Is learnt from the Press that the bifurcation of railway administration — Eastern and Western Zones — will be abolished. and it will be re-shuffled by setting up of a Board with a Chairman at the helm replacing the present administrative set-up of two zones. It is learnt that the re-shuffling is necessary to minimise the overhead cost, cut the number of administrative staff, centralize the administration and Invoke financial viability of its functioning. On such pleas, as many as six re-organisations had earlier been introduced, three in the Pakistan days and three after liberation. To me. neither the Railway Board nor any other administrative set-up seems responsible for the deterioration of Railway service. More attention should be given to the people who run the system their skill. efficiency etc. During the late President Zia's government. 1 had the opportunity to know the railway function at first hand as a member representing the passengers. the National Railway Consultative Committee, then formed for the first time in Bangladesh having the representation from Parliament, passengers, ctvll servants businessmen. It was during this time that the bifurcation of Railway Administration into two zones was thought over. Finally ft was materlalsed by the Ershad government but no genuine attempt was made to give a life to this bifurcation.
The railway trains mean much more tn the Rajshahi and Khulna divisions which comprise the western zone than they do tn the eastern zone or the other two divisions only for the reason that the former region l.e. Rajshahi and Khulna divisions have far less roads than the latter Dhaka and Chittagong divisions.
The bad shape of the railway services In the western zone Is but a reflection not only of apathy at the centre and Inept railway administra tion, but more Importantly of the lack of accountability of the administration both central and zonal. Besides, in the pro visions of the railway budget, the region has so far been deprived of any separate foreign
Introduction of many nonstop trains, after adding extra coaches to these from other trains, does not boost the efficiency and image of the Railway Authority After independence railway properties worth crores of Taka were cither stolen or misused. The railway tracks particularly in
Western Zone are not coverec with sufficient stones and there Is every likelihood of th< presence of defective slippers
For the rapid deterioration of rail-function in the country both a section of passengers a-well as railway officers and employees are responsible. Tc improve the rail-function. wh> the government failed to take corrective vigorous measure.' within and outside the organl sation. is not understood Purchases, both local and for elgn, involve a colossal fund To avoid defective purchases and to have it at competitive prices, a scientific approach Is a must Absence of defective purchases will undoubtedly enrich the rail-function since present rail-function is almost completely dependent or heavy foreign purchases.
The colonial attitude tc analyse problems and find out solutions needs to be avoided particularly in our country plagued with enormous limits tions. The people need to be informed to all genuine hindrances that stand In the way of better rail-function. Railway administration is still deprived of modern management Information relating to the evaluation of leadership, per formance, investment. Income loss, hindrances etc. needs to be regularly disclosed to the public. If necessary, workshop: on the problem with the participation of university professors. experts — local and foreign — need be conducted.
Abolition of bifurcation of the rail-function will not yield any fruitful result unless both zones are equally treated In respect of allocation of funds, foreign assistance, authority, delegation of power, supervision etc. And to do that, the Railway Budget should show distinctly the Income, expenditure. foreign assistance aid allocated and used between the two zones It may be mentioned that besides the allocation of fund In the railway Budget, the Eastern Zone has always been in receipt of sepa rate foreign assistance, which are never shown tn the Railway Budget. The Railway Budget should consist of two separate chapters one for Western Zone and the other for the Eastern Zone. It may also be mentioned that Western Zone always shares 30 to 33% of Railway Budget. Steps are needed to be taken to remove the disparity.
Md. Anwarul Afzal, Ex Member National Railway Consultative Committee.
Raninagar. Naogaon.