DHAKA, Aug 14, 2025 (BSS) - The Ministry of Railways has awarded 22 officials and employees for their contributions to establishing tobacco-free services in Bangladesh Railway (BR).

The awardees in different categories include Mohammad Mahbubul Alam Majumder, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Railways; Md Zakir Hossain, Director (Traffic) of BR; Md Ansar Ali, Deputy Director of BR; Gautam Kumar Kundu, Divisional Commercial Officer (DCO) of BR; Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Divisional Transport Officer of BR; Farhan Mahmud, Additional ADCO of BR; and Mohammad Aminul Haque, Assistant Commercial Officer-1.
They received the awards at a special programme titled "Initiative to Make Bangladesh Railway Tobacco-Free" held at Rail Bhaban today, according to a press release.

Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam attended the programme as the chief guest, while Director General of BR Md Afzal Hossain was present as the special guest.

Executive Director of research institute ARC and Professor of the Department of Economics at the University of Dhaka, Dr Rumana Haque, presented a detailed data analysis of the project.

Speakers stressed the need for awareness-raising, strict monitoring, and law enforcement, alongside fostering positive behaviour among passengers and employees.

Secretary Md Fahimul Islam said, "The railways want to ensure a safe and healthy transportation system for the people. Therefore, we will not show any laxity in creating a smoke-free environment."

Officials and employees of various levels of the ministry and BR participated in the event.