Chattogram Bureau :
The Demu trains bought in 2013 were repaired and brought to Chattogram . Later on Saturday last the minister inaugurated the Chittagong-Dohazari and Chittagong-Patiya routes.
But in the hope of making a profit, the loss fell two days after the launch. On the first day i.e. Sunday morning, the Dohazari Commuter-1 Demu train left Chatttogram for Dohazari with only one passenger. The income from that passenger is 25 taka.
However, 163 passengers came by the return train (Dohazari Commuter-2). On that day the income was Tk 3260/-.
On the same day, Dohazari Commuter-3 left Chattogram for Dohazari with 499 passengers in the afternoon. The income for one trip was Tk. 10 thousand 100 only 26 passengers came to Chattogram by Dohazari commuter-4, with Tk. 630 only.
On Monday morning, the Dohazari Commuter-1 Demu train left Chattogram for Dohazari with only five passengers, earning 100 taka. 137 passengers came by the return train, income 2 thousand 60 taka.
Four pairs of Demu trains are running between Chattogram and Dohazari and on the Chattogram -Patiya Section. Besides, six pairs of Demu trains are also running on Chattogram-Nazirhat, Chandpur-Noakhali-Laksam and Chattogram-University routes.
Concerned people say that the cost of oil is not rising from the income earned by running the Demu train. Not only on these routes, but also on all the Demu trains in the eastern part of the railway. Even knowing the loss, as if the railway is accepting the loss!In 2013, 20 sets of Demu (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) trains were purchased from China at a cost of Tk 754 crore to enhance the quality of passenger service. In the first 5 years, the revenue of the railways from these Demu trains was Tk. 19 crore 40 lakh. Railway officials say there is no way to fix the damaged Demu in the country. T
he revenue earned from the railway sector by investing Rs 634 crore does not even cover the salaries of the guards, drivers and TTEs working in the trains..
