Schedule adjusted for 2 trains on Ctg-Cox's Bazar route

The Bangladesh Railway has revised the schedules for the Saikat Express and Probal Express trains operating on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route, effective from 10 August.

According to BR authorities, the changes come in response to passenger demand and aims to improve connectivity.

The Saikat Express (train number 821), departing from Chattogram for Cox's Bazar, will now leave 25 minutes earlier at 5:50am. Previously, this train departs at 6:15am.

Conversely, the Probal Express (train number 822), traveling from Cox's Bazar to Chattogram, will depart from Cox's Bazar station at 10:00am, an adjustment from its current 10:20am departure. 

This decision was finalised by the Bangladesh Railway on Tuesday (29 July).

Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman, chief operating superintendent (East) of Bangladesh Railway, told The Business Standard that the decision was influenced by a recent incident. 

"A few days ago, passengers had an altercation with a locomaster because they couldn't catch the train," he explained. "Considering the overall situation, including connecting trains, the schedule has been advanced by 20-25 minutes."

Currently, two pairs of intercity trains operate on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route, complementing the two pairs of intercity trains that run directly from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar. 

Passenger train services on the Cox's Bazar railway line officially commenced on 1 December 2023.

Initially, two intercity non-stop trains were launched from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar. Local residents in Chattogram expressed discontent as no direct trains were initially introduced from their city, leading to the launch of two new trains from Chattogram earlier this year.