The only concrete sleeper factory of Bangladesh Railway, the Chhatak Concrete Sleeper Plant in Sunamganj, is on the verge of closure. This factory has operated for only 50 days in two phases over the first seven months this year. It resumed production for the third time on July 29, but will continue only until the contractor’s materials are handed over. There are allegations that negligence, indifference from the authorities, a preference for buying sleepers from private firms, and a shortage of manpower are among the reasons this state-owned factory remains closed most of the year. In some years, production stays suspended the entire year. However, authorities claim that due to a shortage of manpower, they are forced to purchase concrete sleepers from private companies.
According to the Chhatak Railway Office, the concrete sleeper factory has shut down several times so far this year. In the first phase, it resumed operations on February 2 but stopped due to mechanical failure. It reopened on February 27. In the second phase, it resumed on May 4 but had to shut again on May 29 due to a lack of raw materials. After remaining closed for two months, production restarted on July 29. However, a relevant official said the factory is unlikely to remain operational for long.
The Chhatak Concrete Sleeper Plant, with a daily production capacity of 264 sleepers, was launched on October 27, 1988. Wooden sleepers typically last around 10 years, while concrete sleepers last around 50 years. So, to strengthen, modernize, and secure the country’s railway lines, the government at the time established the nation’s only concrete sleeper factory in Chhatak. The factory ran well from the start of production until 2000. But according to those involved, syndicates both inside and outside the railway began a cycle of corruption that pushed the factory toward collapse. Production has been irregular ever since.
Sources said the factory reopened several times in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2020 after closures, but none of the restarts lasted long. Due to mechanical faults and raw material shortages, the sleeper plant remains closed most of the year. Meanwhile, three private concrete sleeper plants have been established in Panchagarh, Banglabandha, and Jamalpur. The railway now sources its sleepers from these plants. The Chhatak factory, on the other hand, has been deliberately left without manpower.
On the other hand, railway officials say that most positions at the Chhatak factory—including key roles—are vacant. There is a shortage of welders (Grade-1), linemen-cum-wire operators (Grade-2), assistant lab technicians, drivers, toolkeepers, traverser operators, casting machine operators, machinists, mechanics, concrete mixer operators, demolding operators, assistant crusher operators, lab helpers, welder helpers, tensioning helpers, security guards, laborers, and cleaning staff, among others.
Insiders reveal that the Chhatak railway office and concrete sleeper factory are now almost entirely without officials. Those assigned there spend most of their time in Dhaka or Sylhet. Since joining the post, Asaduzzaman Khan, Senior Sub-Assistant Engineer (Electrical), has reportedly not been present at the workplace. He is accused of drawing a government salary and benefits for years without showing up at the factory.
Meanwhile, Jakir Hossain Khan, Senior Sub-Assistant Engineer (Works), has been assigned additional responsibilities at the sleeper plant. Allegedly, he visits only once a month and stays overnight at the railway bungalow before leaving. Despite their absence, both officers are said to wield influence over various railway tenders and continue to enjoy full pay and benefits.
Attempts to contact Asaduzzaman Khan and Jakir Hossain Khan by phone were unsuccessful, as neither received the calls.
Speaking to Bonik Barta, Azmaeen Mahtab, Senior Assistant Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Railway, Sylhet (with additional responsibility for Chhatak), said, “The Chhatak concrete sleeper plant had been shut down. We reopened it on July 29 with the contractor’s assistance. Due to the lack of manpower, we’ve had to rely on external help. The contractor will assist us until all materials are handed over. This arrangement will continue until permanent staff are appointed.”