ABSTRACT
The transport and communications system was badly affected during the liberation struggle of 1971. By 1974 the system was restored, and major improvements were begun. Difficulty of communications has been one of the major factors in retarding economic growth. The waterways are a great asset but slow and inadequate transport has been unable to develop them fully. The Bangladesh Railways is a Government concern. There are 1,712 miles of railways, with trains operating over 63 routes. There are two different gauges, broad and metre. The broad gauge, 5 feet 6 inches wide, totals 545.63 miles; the metre gauge, of 3 feet 3-3/8th inches, totals 1166.39 miles. The main metre gauge system is in the Eastern and Central Regions. It is divided between the two railway commercial districts of Dacca and Pahartali, which are also transportation districts, and in this respect controlled from Bhairab Bazar and Chittagong respectively.
