The Mango Special Train will start on 10 June to carry mangoes safely, quickly and cheaply. Dr Humayun Kabir, secretary of the Ministry of Railways, said this as keynote speaker at a seminar at the Rajshahi divisional commissioner's office at midday on Saturday, 11 May.

Railways Minister Zillul Hakim MP was chief guest at the seminar on carrying mangoes by rail from Rajshahi division to other districts. It was chaired by Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Mohammad Humayun Kabir and attended by mango growers, traders and others concerned.

Dr Humayun Kabir said the Mango Special Train was launched in 2020 to carry mangoes safely, quickly and cheaply from Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi to Dhaka. Over the four years from 2020 to 2023 it carried a total of 39,95,798 kg of mangoes, earning the government revenue of Tk 46,29,140.

He added: "We want to make the train popular so that transporting mangoes is easier. We want to reduce the pressure on the roads, and we will do whatever is needed. We want mango transport from this region to become easy and cheap by rail. We want to do this as an alternative to couriers."

According to the Western Railway, in 2020 the Mango Special Train carried 11,99,059 kg of mangoes over 47 days, earning Tk 13,37,536 against spending of Tk 56,40,000. In 2021 it carried 22,99,920 kg over 49 days, earning Tk 26,30,928 against spending of Tk 58,80,000. In 2022 it ran for seven days, carrying 1,78,778 kg of mangoes and earning Tk 2,12,174 against spending of Tk 12.40 lakh. Most recently, in 2023, it ran for 18 days, carrying 12,07,000 kg and earning Tk 4,48,502 against spending of Tk 19,62,000.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.