Chattogram Correspondent

The Eastern Zone of Bangladesh Railway has suffered a loss of Tk 21.70 crore during the rampage over quota reform movement as 40 bogies of different trains were damaged and four bogies were set on fire by miscreants.

This information was disclosed from the report of the probe committee consisting of heads of various departments of the Bangladesh Railway.

Engineer Sushil Kumar Halder, head of the inquiry committee mentioned that the commercial section and the mechanical section of the eastern railway were the mostly affected by the miscreants.

“Miscreants vandalized various railway installations during the week from July 16. The report also mentioned that a total of 13 coaches of Chattola Express, seven coaches of Sonar Bangla Express, eight coaches of Parabat Express, six coaches of Jamalpur Express and two coaches of Kishoreganj Express were vandalized during the agitation,” he added.

Besides, four coaches of Kishoreganj Express were burnt and a number of locomotives and bogies were also vandalized during the violence, the report said.

Passengers of Dhaka Division under Eastern Zone will have to refund Tk 11 crore 70 lakhs and Tk 4 crore 58 lakhs to the passengers of Chattogram Division due to suspension of train movement, he added.

Saiful Islam, Manager, Railway Eastern Division (Chattogram), said, "It is not possible to refund the money for the tickets sold to the passengers until the internet is fully operational."No decision has been taken yet about the resumption of the train movement, he said.

The authorities concerned started operation of oil-laden trains from Friday. Four-oil-laden trains moved from Chattogram Railway Station, escorted by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members, the sources added.