First-ever train washing plants inaugurated
The plants have been set up at Kamalapur Railway Station and Rajshahi Railway Station
The Bangladesh Railways has inaugurated two automated train washing plants to save time, reduce manpower, and cut back on water consumption.
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujon inaugurated the Kamalapur Railway Station plant on Monday, while Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Khairuzzaman Liton inaugurated the other in Rajshahi.
At the inauguration, Nurul Islam Sujon said, "Usually it takes at least 20 cleaners to wash a train manually, but the automated washing plants will reduce the involvement of so many workers."
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Railway officials said almost two hours are needed to wash a train manually, but a 14-compartment train will be washed in 8-10 minutes at the new plants.
Bangladesh Railway Director General Dhirendra Nath Mazumder said the current system to wash a train requires about 10,000 litres of water, while the automated plants would consume only 4,000 litres to do the same.
He said the plant can recycle most of the water used to wash a train and will save up to 70% of water.
The railway minister said the government plans to connect all districts of the country by rail and intends to re-introduce all previous railway lines that once connected Bangladesh with India and China. Rail connectivity with China will be introduced through Myanmar.
Selim Reza, secretary to the railway ministry, said that to provide comfortable, safe and affordable services, Bangladesh Railways is trying to overcome all its shortcomings.
Rail officials said the Kamalapur plant is dedicated for narrow gauge, that is, metre gauge trains, while the Rajshahi plant will wash broad gauge trains.
