TDS Desk:

Railway Affairs Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has urged railway running staff to call off their strike, assuring them that discussions with the Finance Division are ongoing to address their demands.

“Demands are understandable, but holding passengers hostage by halting train services is regrettable,” he said while talking to reporters at Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital on Tuesday morning.

The adviser commented that it is unfortunate to hold the passengers hostage to fulfill the demands of the running staff of Bangladesh Railways. He said: “It is the general public who are suffering the most.”

He added: “We always have an open door for discussions regarding the staff’s demands. If necessary, we will discuss with them again.”

Fouzul Kabir said that the Railway Ministry does not have the authority to resolve the issue independently. “The matter lies with the Finance Division, and discussions are in progress. We are confident a resolution will be reached soon.”

The adviser said: “The government is not facing any inconvenience due to the railway shutdown, but the inconvenience is being faced by the general passengers. We want this issue to be resolved quickly because the Ijtema is coming up.”

He further said: “To minimize the passengers’ suffering, we have already informed the public through the media. However, if any passengers come to the station, considering their convenience, we have arranged BRTC buses so that they can travel on the same routes that the trains cover.”

BRTC Chairman Tajul Islam said: “A total of 20 vehicles, 10 each at Kamalapur and Airport stations, are ready for passengers. If necessary, we will increase the number of buses.”