Bangladesh Railway on Tuesday cancelled the lease contract with four private companies for operating 24 trains for breaching agreements, amid widespread allegations that former Chhatra League leader Salahuddin Ripan unduly secured the deals during the Awami regime to monopolise the railway sector.
Railway Director (Public Relations) Nahid Hasan Khan confirmed the matter to the media on Tuesday.
“The train contract has been cancelled from today. This decision will come into effect from today (November 12), he said.
Sources at the railway said that the 24 trains account for nearly 65 per cent of Bangladesh Railway’s total fleet, and Salahuddin Ripan signed a contract to operate the trains through his four family businesses.
The initial contract had a four-year term, but Salahuddin Ripan managed to renew the contract repeatedly for over a decade, leaving out competitive bidders in every renewal step taking advantage of the party.
bd-pratidin/GR
