Train service on Dhaka-Benapole via Padma Bridge to begin 2 December

The much-awaited train service on the Dhaka-Jashore-Khulna-Benapole section is expected to open on 2 December via the Padma Bridge, an official familiar with the matter said.

"We're hopeful for formally starting the operation of a passenger train on the Dhaka-Benapol section via Padma Bridge from December 2," Project Director of Padma Rail Link Md Afzal Hossain told BSS today (21 November).

He said the Sundarban Express train will leave Khulna at about 6am on 2 December for Kamalapur while Benapole Express will leave Kamalapur for Benapole at about 11am on the same day.

The project director said the total journey time from Dhaka to Benapol will be 3:30 hours (appx).

He said the newly constructed broad-gauge single-line rail track has connected the existing Khulna bound rail track via Rupdia and Singia stations.

He added the government has constructed the 172-km new railway track having provision to upgrade it to double from Kamalapur to Rupdia and Singia stations at a cost of Tk37,155 crore.

According to the project, the development came after the government inspector of Bangladesh Railway (GIBR) completed a two-day inspection of the line from Bhanga to Jashore successfully.

Bangladesh Railway (BR) constructed the 172-km broad-gauge single-line from Dhaka to Jashore via Padma Bridge, which is the biggest project for BR in terms of cost, and over half of the cost is being provided by China as loan assistance.

The Dhaka-Bhanga section of the line was opened in October last year and five trains are being operated on this section.

Once the rail line becomes operational, the distance between Dhaka and Jashore will decrease by 200km, cutting the travel time in half. Currently, it takes over eight hours to reach Jashore.

The line will directly connect the country's two biggest seaports -- Chattogram and Mongla facilitating the country's trade and commerce.