RailTech Revamp: Syedpur Workshop Upgrade to Boost Local Production

With the goal of achieving technology-driven self-reliance in the railway sector, the government has taken an initiative to modernize the country’s largest Syedpur Railway Workshop. As part of a broader plan to reduce import dependency and ensure more sustainable and efficient rail services through local production of components, a feasibility study has been initiated to upgrade and expand the production capacity of the northern region’s largest railway workshop, said Bangladesh Railway Director General Md. Afzal Hossain.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, 27 April, after inspecting the Syedpur Railway Workshop in Nilphamari, the Director General said work has already begun to enable domestic production of components required for railway coach maintenance. To this end, efforts are underway to identify and address existing shortages in manpower, machinery, and raw materials. Simultaneously, feasibility assessment activities for modernizing the workshop are also in progress.

He noted that the workshop, established long ago, is currently unable to operate at full capacity due to shortages of skilled personnel and modern equipment. Failure to overcome these limitations could disrupt overall railway operations. Therefore, the current government is placing special emphasis on making the workshop fully functional and capable.

Md. Afzal Hossain further said that by enhancing its capacity, the Syedpur Railway Workshop will be developed into the central hub of the country’s railway system. Necessary plans are being formulated based on on-site assessments of its challenges and potential.

During the visit, he also reviewed issues including train stoppages of the Panchagarh and Kurigram Express, increased seat allocation, construction of a foot overbridge, and expansion of platform number two. Following the inspection, the Director General said that the demands raised concerning Birampur Railway Station are reasonable. Necessary budget allocations will be arranged for their prompt implementation. However, the introduction of new train stoppages will be decided after evaluating their potential impact on existing schedules on a trial basis.

He added, “The scope of the railway is expanding, and the number of railway coaches is also increasing. This year alone, 200 broad gauge coaches are expected to arrive from India. As a result, there is a growing need to enhance the production capacity of the Syedpur Railway Workshop.”

During the inspection, he was accompanied by Asian Development Bank Director Hoe Yun Jeong, Bangladesh Railway Additional Director General (ADG RL) F M Mohiuddin, West Zone Railway General Manager (GM) Farid Ahmed, Syedpur Railway Workshop Divisional Superintendent Shah Sufi Nur Mohammad, and other senior officials concerned.

Birampur Upazila BNP President Mia Md. Shafiqul Alam Mamun, Municipal BNP General Secretary Rezaul Karim Rezu, BNP leader Waheduzzaman, Birampur Professionals Unity Front Convener Rafiqul Islam Sarker, Member Secretary Mahmudul Haque Manik, Dinajpur South Region Development Forum General Secretary Lion Mozammel Haque, former VP of Birampur College Syed Golam Morshed Soikat, Birampur Press Club General Secretary Kamruzzaman, and Joint Secretary Ripon Chowdhury Manik were also present at the event.

DBTech/SI/EK/OR