Experimental train operated successfully
2-3 trains to operate initially
10 stations in 84km-route
After the inauguration of Padma Bridge, now the upcoming inauguration of the Padma Rail Link Project is going to be another milestone for enhancing the transportation network of Bangladesh.
Envisioned to connect Dhaka, the capital city, with the southwestern district of Jessore, this railway line is poised to be a game-changer in the country’s development narrative in a bid to bolster transportation, trade, and create new opportunities for economic growth.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officially inaugurate train service on this new route (82-km-long) on October 10. Through this, the long-desired dream of the people of the 21 districts of the southwestern region of the country to travel to and from Dhaka by train will be fulfilled.
The rest of the rail route from Bhanga to Jessore (90km) is likely to be ready by June next year.
Trial run successful
An experimental passenger train was held on the Dhaka-Bhanga route through Padma Bridge on Thursday.
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said that the new service will bring a revolutionary change for the people of the southern region.
Initially, two or three trains will be operated in Dhaka-Bhanga route, and later it will be up to 24 pairs, according to the project insiders.
Each and every train will have the capacity to transport at least 1,000 passengers.
The Padma Bridge was inaugurated on June 25, 2022. On April 4, 2023, for the first time, a train ran through the bridge from Bhanga to Mawa in Munshiganj on a trial basis.
Thursday’s trial train took two hours and 10 minutes to reach Faridpur. It left Kamalapur at 10:07am and crossed the Padma Bridge at 11:34am. The train reached Bhanga station at 12:17pm after crossing ten stations.
After the official launching, the train will take around one hour and 20 minutes.
During the journey, a large number of people were seen standing on both sides of the railway line and expressing their excitement. Many of them were taking photos and videos of the train.
The passenger train crossed the Padma Bridge and went to Bhanga railway station for a round trip.
Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, Awami League Presidium Member and former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, Deputy Minister for Water Resources Enamul Haque Shamim, Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury, Railway Secretary Dr Humayun Kabir, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Kamrul Ahsan, Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Director Afzal Hossain, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Railways and senior railway officials were present in this trial run.
The trial train was operated by locomaster Enamul Haque and assistant locomaster MA Hossain.
Experts say the inauguration of this rail link promises to revolutionize transportation in Bangladesh. It will significantly reduce travel time between Dhaka and Bhanga, making it more convenient for commuters and businesses alike.
This increased connectivity will facilitate the movement of goods, thereby fostering economic growth in the region.
Moreover, it will reduce the burden on the existing road network, leading to decreased traffic congestion and improved road safety.
By connecting Dhaka with Bhanga and the surrounding areas, the rail track will open up new opportunities for employment, education, and healthcare. It will also facilitate access to markets, allowing local businesses to expand and flourish.
Source: Dhaka Tribune.