Covid lockdown: 8 special parcel trains from tomorrow
Farmers using the trains will get a 25% discount on the basic fare and a waiver of all other types of charges
Bangladesh Railway will operate eight special parcel trains to facilitate transportation of agricultural products and parceled goods amid the nationwide strict lockdown to contain the Covid-19 surge.
Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan MP said this while briefing the media at Railway Bhaban on Tuesday, about the operations of several special trains alongside all existing freight trains on different routes amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
The minister said Bangladesh Railway has decided to operate special parcel trains so that farmers can easily transport agricultural products during the lockdown to maintain life and livelihood amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
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The eight parcel trains will start operating from tomorrow on the Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka,
Chattogram-Jamalpur-Chattogram, Khulna-Nilphamari-Khulna, and Dhaka-Panchagarh-Dhaka routes, said a press release.
A 25% discount on basic fare will be given and all other types of charges will be waived for transporting agricultural products such as vegetables, local fruits, and other agricultural products on special parcel trains,the press release added.
At various times in the past, the Railway has operated parcel trains including Mango Special Trains and Cattle Trains. It is currently transporting oil, fertilizers, and other goods. Eight parcel trains will run from tomorrow to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products, the minister said.
The Dhaka-Sylhet route train will leave Dhaka at 3:30 pm and reach Sylhet at 2:30 am. The Sylhet-Dhaka route train will leave Sylhet at 6:45am and reach Dhaka at 6:30pm.
The Chattogram-Jamalpur train will leave Chattogram at 3 pm and reach Sarishabari station at 4:30 am. The Jamalpur-Chattogram train will leave Sarishabari station at 5:30am and reach Chattogram at 6:40pm.
The Khulna-Nilphamari route train will leave Khulna at 3:30 pm and reach Chilahati station at 2:30 am on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday of the week. The Nilphamari-Khulna route train will leave Chilahati station at 3:30 pm and will reach Khulna at 02:30 am on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
The Panchagarh-Dhaka train will leave Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam station at 1 pm and reach Dhaka at 3 am on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday. The 'Dhaka-Panchagarh route train will leave Dhaka at 6am and reach Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam station at 8:30 pm on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Between Dhaka-Chattagram, Dhaka-Jamalpur, and Chattogram-Sylhet, parcels will be sent to their destinations through addition or subtraction of luggage vans at the Bhairab Bazar and Akhaura stations.
The luggage van carrying goods on the Khulna-Dhaka route will be detached at Ishwardi station and will be added to or detached from trains on the Panchagarh-Dhaka route.
Secretary of the Railways Ministry, Md Selim Reza, director general of Bangladesh Railway, Dhirendranath Majumder, and additional director general of operations, Sardar Shahadat Ali, were present at the briefing.
