>> Sundarban and Chitra Express will remain on the previous route
>> The road will be reduced to 168 km
As per the Western Railway Zone proposal, trains from Dhaka to Khulna and Benapole will run on the new route via Narail from the first week of December. The new route will only take 3 and a half hours. The entire Padma Rail Link line is ready after final testing. Now it’s just a matter of time.
The second phase of the Padma Rail Link has already been completed. The trial run of the new route has already been successfully completed. However, there is no change in the route of Sundarban and Chitra Express even though the new route has been launched. The railway authorities said that these two trains will run in the same way as before.
A new train will run on this route from the first week of December as per the proposal of the Western Railway Region. Every day the train will go from Khulna to Singia, Jessore, Narail, Madhumati Setu, Kashiani, Gopalganj, to Dhaka. The return train from Dhaka will go via Jessore to Benapole. The train will return to Dhaka by the same route from Benapole. In the afternoon return to Khulna by the same route from Dhaka to Narail. The distance will be reduced from 376 km to 208 km. This will reduce the road to 168 km. And it will take 3 and a half to 4 hours to go from Khulna to Dhaka.
Every day from Khulna to Singia, Narail, Madhumati Setu, Gopalganj, Kashiani, Jessore, the train will go to Dhaka. The return train from Dhaka will go via Jessore to Benapole. He will return to Dhaka in the same way from Benapole. In the afternoon, he will return to Khulna by following the same route from Dhaka to Narail.
Khulna Railway Traffic Inspector Hanshuman Roy Tapu said that we hope to be able to start normal traffic from December 1 or 2. The manpower demand letter is given here. Even if the new manpower is not available, trains will be run with manpower of other arrangements for the time being.
General Manager of Railways. Mamunul Islam said that the preparations have started after the completion of the project. Meanwhile, I have made all preparations for the new route from Khulna to Dhaka and Benapole to Dhaka. According to the proposal in the Ministry, passenger trains will run on this route from the first week of December. The new route will start from Khulna, go from Singia in Jessore to Narail, cross Madhumati bridge, go to Kashiani in Gopalganj, from there cross the broken Padma bridge in Faridpur and reach Dhaka. The train will then go to Benapole from Dhaka via Jessore. Similarly, it will return from Benapole to Dhaka and in the afternoon from Dhaka to Khulna.
AH/JIM
What are the expected benefits of the Padma Rail Link for commuters in Bangladesh?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Railway Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to delve into the recent developments regarding the Padma Rail Link. To start off, can you provide us with a brief overview of what changes are coming to the rail routes in Bangladesh?
Railway Expert: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. Certainly! As per the proposal by the Western Railway Zone, from the first week of December, trains operating from Dhaka to Khulna and Benapole will shift to a new route via Narail. This new route is set to significantly reduce travel time to just three and a half hours, which is a substantial improvement.
Time.news Editor: That sounds like a major step forward for rail travel in the region. What led to the decision to create this new route?
Railway Expert: The primary motivation behind this decision was to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time for passengers. The completion of the second phase of the Padma Rail Link, which underwent successful trial runs, showed that this new route could handle the traffic efficiently. With the growing demand for faster travel options, such improvements are essential for meeting the needs of commuters and freight services alike.
Time.news Editor: It’s impressive to see such advancements. However, I noticed that the Sundarban and Chitra Express trains will not be changing their routes. Why is that?
Railway Expert: Great observation! The railway authorities have decided to keep the routes for the Sundarban and Chitra Express unchanged for now. These trains have established services that cater to specific passenger demographics, and changing their routes might disrupt existing schedules that many rely on. The authorities aim to maintain consistency while introducing new services on the updated tracks.
Time.news Editor: That makes sense. With the new trains set to run daily from Khulna to Dhaka, how do you think this will impact local communities along the route?
Railway Expert: The impact on local communities could be profound. Enhanced rail connectivity can lead to economic growth, allowing residents in areas like Jessore, Narail, and Gopalganj not only quicker access to the capital but also better opportunities for trade and employment. Additionally, with faster travel times, there could be increased tourism and overall connectivity within the region, benefiting local businesses.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, it sounds like a win-win situation for travelers and businesses alike. with the launch just around the corner, what are the next steps for the rail authorities and potentially for passengers?
Railway Expert: For the railway authorities, the focus will be on ensuring that the new infrastructure is fully operational and that passenger safety is prioritized during the initial runs. For passengers, it will be essential to stay updated on the final schedules and any additional services that might be implemented. The railway operator might also consider feedback from early users to further refine the service. I’d recommend everyone keep an eye on official announcements as the launch date approaches.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights with us today. It’s always enlightening to hear from an expert in the field, especially when it involves such significant infrastructure improvements that could benefit so many in the region.
Railway Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss developments that have the potential to change the landscape of transportation in Bangladesh.