Railway under pressure to add more stoppages for intercity trains

Bangladesh Railway is facing pressure to add more halts for intercity trains while it originally planned to review and eliminate some stops it deems unnecessary.

It has long been a common practice to include additional stops on intercity train routes for political reasons. In the past decade and a half, 23 intercity trains in the eastern region alone were given stops at 23 stations in both directions—a total of 46 additional halts. 

Following the ouster of the AL regime, various proposals and demands – sometimes backed by protests and political lobbying – have been placed requesting new stops at several stations. As a result, rather than reducing them, Bangladesh Railway is under increasing pressure to approve more halts. 

This is creating complications not only in managing intercity train schedules but also in coordinating with other train services.

According to railway sources, recommendations for new train stops came from a wide range of influential individuals in the past – from MPs, ministers, and senior administrators to even the Chief Justice and the President. Despite resistance from the railway's operations and commercial divisions, higher authorities have pushed through these politically motivated proposals. 

This has led to reduced revenue and a sharp decline in service quality. After 5 August, when the railway attempted to halt unnecessary stops, fresh demands began pouring in—particularly from potential election candidates and student leaders ahead of the upcoming national polls.

Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Chief Operating Superintendent (East) of Bangladesh Railway, said, "We want to operate intercity trains smoothly. But due to movements from people living near different stations, we are having to add stops instead of reducing them."

At Narsingdi station alone, there are already 29 train stops, 14 of which are intercity trains. In addition, 10 commuter trains and five mail trains stop there. Still, requests have been made recently to the government's higher levels for further stops of the Parabat Express, Mahanagar Godhuli/Prabhati Express, Turna Express, and Upaban Express at Narsingdi.

The Railway Secretary has also instructed the railway to implement these halts. To maintain minimal schedule adherence, the transport division has only agreed to allow Mahanagar Godhuli, Mahanagar Prabhati, and Upaban Express to stop at Narsingdi.

On 17 April, former BNP MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury sent a letter requesting that Mahanagar Godhuli, Turna Express (Dhaka-bound), and Udayan Express (Sylhet-bound) stop at Nangalkot station. The ministry subsequently instructed the Director General of Railways to take steps. 

Trains like Chattala, Paharika, and Meghna Express already stop at this station in Comilla. Additionally, several other trains, including Sylhet-bound ones, also have stops there. However, the transport division noted that with several stations located within just 10 kilometres of Nangalkot, intercity trains are becoming overwhelmed due to the excessive halts.

Following 5 August, demonstrations and human chains have been organised in various locations demanding intercity train stops. In Natore's Naldanga upazila, protests were held at Madhanagar station calling for stops by Barendra, Rupsha, and Burimari Express. 

In Lalmonirhat's Burimari, students and residents blocked the rail line demanding a stop for the Burimari Express. Brahmanbaria saw human chains and protest rallies led by the District Citizens' Forum calling for immediate renovations of the station and halts for all trains. 

In Gazipur's Sreepur, hundreds of people from various walks of life staged a protest and blocked the Brahmaputra Express on 9 September, demanding that all intercity trains stop there. 

In Panchagarh, locals obstructed the Dolonchapa Express by blocking the tracks to press for a stop. In Tangail, the Upazila Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and local residents of Mirzapur stopped trains demanding the return of the Tangail commuter service and halts for Chitra, Ekota, Padma, and Lalmoni Express trains.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh Railway discontinued 93 trains, including commuter, local, and mail services. Due to continued shortages of engines, coaches, and staff, these services have not been resumed. As a result, locals are now pushing for intercity trains to serve as a substitute, with increased stops.

Railway officials said that there is a severe shortage of engines with less than two-thirds now operational. As a result, many trains are being run with connecting engines. Adding more stops will increase total journey time, leading to disruptions for return trips. 

Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain said, "Almost all the passenger welfare associations of suburban stations near Dhaka are lobbying for all trains to stop at their stations. This is increasing journey times for intercity trains, reducing service quality, and causing schedule breakdowns. 

"Even though we intended to revise unnecessary stops, we're now being forced to add more. If this continues, the railway's passenger services will be severely disrupted."