As a result, cost of most of the projects -- aimed at improving railways services -- is likely to escalate, prolonging people's wait for better services from the struggling railway. Officials of the state-owned transport agency blamed it on delays in land acquisition and approval of foreign loans, lack of necessary manpower, and lately the Covid-19 global pandemic. Experts, however, found poor planning owing to weak feasibility studies, lack of accountability and skilled manpower, and vested interests, as the reasons behind slow progress of railway projects. After decades of neglect, the railway started getting increased allocations when the Awami League-led alliance assumed power in 2009.