The "Mango Special" train is being launched again to carry mangoes. It will leave Rohanpur station in Chapainawabganj district at 6pm on Monday (10 June). Asim Kumar Talukdar, general manager of Bangladesh Railway (West), confirmed this.

Over the past four years, a lack of proper planning and commitment has meant the Mango Special's costs were more than double its earnings, and losses have passed Tk 1 crore. According to the figures, in 2020 the train carried 11,99,059 kg of mangoes over 47 days, earning Tk 13,37,536 and costing Tk 56,40,000.

In 2021 it carried 22,99,920 kg of mangoes over 49 days, earning Tk 26,30,928 and costing Tk 58,80,000.

In 2022 the train carried mangoes for seven days, transporting 1,78,778 kg. It earned Tk 2,12,174, and costs are given as Tk 12 lakh 40.

Most recently, in 2023, the train carried mangoes for 18 days, transporting 12,07,000 kg. It earned Tk 4,48,502 against costs of Tk 19,62,000.

Over the four years the railway earned Tk 46,29,140, while running the train cost Tk 1 crore 47 lakh 22 thousand. The railway therefore lost Tk 1 crore 92 thousand 860 carrying mangoes.

Asim Kumar Talukdar said that, as every year, the Mango Special will run with mangoes from Rohanpur via Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi to Dhaka. The train will start from Rohanpur station at 6pm today.

He added that it is not yet clear what response there will be this year. Bookings will be taken until 5pm, and the response will be clear then.

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