Plans to inaugurate the Padma Bridge rail link project at the previously- announced date have been derailed due to a strike by the Bangladesh Railway's running staff.
The 172-kilometre railway line, which promised to significantly cut travel times and bolster connectivity across the country, remains in limbo despite final preparations for its launch.
On Monday morning, members of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers and Employees Union began a strike demanding the restoration of mileage allowances, payment of pensions, and gratuities.
On Sunday, Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers, Employees Union General Secretary Md Mojibur Rahman sent a letter to the railway director general about the strike.
In November, the Padma Bridge rail link was scheduled for inauguration on Dec 2.
The railway link is expected to reduce travel time by approximately three-and-a-half hours between Dhaka and the Jashore-Khulna route, and by four hours on the Jashore-Benapole route, significantly enhancing transportation efficiency.
Railway Director General and Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Director Afzal Hossain told bdnews24.com: "The Padma Rail Link Project is not being inaugurated today. Firstly, the time schedule has not been made yet. Secondly, the deployment has not been completed. Another reason is that we have an ongoing crisis. The running staff have gone on strike for mileage allowance."
"Due to their protest, our train services have been disrupted."
"We cannot start operations until their problems are resolved," he added.
—bdnews24.com
