Bangladesh Railway's revenue from container transportation, long regarded as its only reliably profitable operation, has fallen to its lowest level in nine years, raising concern among officials and service users.

According to data from the Railway's Transportation and Commercial Department, the segment earned Tk 77 crore in FY 2024-25. The last time earnings dipped this low was in FY 2015-16, when revenue stood at just over Tk 73 crore.

This marks the fourth consecutive year of decline. Revenue peaked at Tk 135 crore in FY 2021-22 before sliding steadily to this year's level.

Cargo volume has dropped even more sharply. The railway transported 15.6 lakh tonnes of goods in FY 2021-22, but the figure fell by around half to 7.3 lakh tonnes in the last fiscal year.

Officials attribute the downturn mainly to a shortage of locomotives, which has crippled container services on the Dhaka-Chattogram route, introduced in FY 1986-87 to boost freight earnings.

Four pairs of container trains are scheduled to run daily between Chattogram and Kamalapur ICD in Dhaka, but only two pairs operate on most days, said Nazrul Islam, chief master of the Chattogram Goods Port Yard.

"We need 13 locomotives, but we regularly receive only five to six. Because of this, we cannot operate the scheduled trains," he said.

During a visit to the yard last week, three fully loaded rakes were seen waiting for departure, stalled due to the lack of engines.

Despite delays, many users continue relying on container trains for two key advantages: cargo security and the convenience of completing customs and clearance procedures at Kamalapur ICD, where all relevant agencies are stationed together.

We need 13 locomotives, but we regularly receive only five to six. Because of this, we cannot operate the scheduled trains.

Mohammad Nabi, who represents a Narayanganj-based garment manufacturer, said delays have worsened significantly.

"We now receive containers 18 to 20 days after they are unloaded from ships. Earlier it never took more than 5 to 7 days," he said.

Tariq Imran, deputy chief operating superintendent of BR (East Zone), said, "We are not getting locomotives on time. As a result, we cannot run trains according to schedule, and revenue automatically drops."

Moreover, 82 of the 140 locomotives assigned to the East Zone are more than 20 years old, exceeding their standard lifespan. The zone requires 118 to 120 engines daily to maintain full operations but can use only 78 to 80, according to railway data.

East Zone General Manager Md Sabuktageen said, "We are trying to repair several locomotives on a fast-track basis. The government is also moving ahead with the purchase of new engines."