Dhaka, Oct 19 (V7N)- In a bid to curb the rising prices of vegetables, the Ministry of Railways has announced a plan to transport vegetables by train. This initiative comes in response to increasing transportation costs and toll charges, which have significantly impacted vegetable prices across the country. According to Sardar Shahadat Ali, Director General of Bangladesh Railways, the plan includes attaching luggage vans to passenger trains and operating special trains twice a week for vegetable transport, with the service expected to begin within a week.

Jessore is a key region for vegetable production in Bangladesh, and its largest wholesale market, Satmile Barinagar Hat, supplies a substantial portion of the country's vegetable demand. Traders from the area have expressed concerns over the high costs associated with road transport, citing expenses such as toll fees and extortion, which have inflated the price of vegetables in retail markets.

The new rail initiative is being met with enthusiasm by local traders, who see the potential for reduced transportation costs. "If we transport by train, we'll only pay for the quantity we carry, unlike road transport where we pay the same for a half-empty truck," said a local trader. Another trader highlighted that transporting goods by train would also help avoid traffic jams, saving both time and money.

Sushant Kumar Tarafdar, Deputy Director of the Jessore Agriculture Extension Department, has suggested that at least two coaches be reserved for farmers at Jessore station to further reduce transportation costs, which could positively affect vegetable prices in the capital.

The Ministry of Railways plans to prioritize the Jessore-Khulna region but will also consider other districts such as Bogra, Chapainawabganj, and Panchagarh for vegetable transport.

"One or two additional luggage vans will be attached to trains that already have luggage compartments. Special trains will also operate once or twice a week from Khulna, Panchagarh, and Chapainawabganj to transport goods to local markets," said Sardar Shahadat Ali. The railway department has already informed traders in vegetable-producing districts about this initiative, and discussions with stakeholders are underway to finalize details, including loading and unloading costs.

If successful, the ministry plans to expand this initiative to transport vegetables on a larger scale in the future, providing a cost-effective solution to manage the country's vegetable prices.

END/MSS/AJ