Dhaka-bound train from Rangpur will not restart operation
Station authorities say a lack of cleaning facilities and space constraints at the station have prompted to take the decision for the sake of passengers’ safety during the pandemic
Rangpur Express, an intercity train that runs on the Dhaka-Rangpur-Dhaka route, will not resume operation now, even though the Bangladesh Railway has decided to restart train services on a limited scale from today – more than two months after a nationwide shutdown.
"Rangpur Express leaves Rangpur station at night but there is no arrangement for cleaning the train here. Besides, there are space constraints at the ticket counters and platforms.
Because of these limitations, it is not possible to operate train services from here maintaining health guidelines. So, we have decided not to resume the train service amid the coronavirus outbreak," said Alamgir Hossain, station master of Rangpur Railway Station.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
However, Dhaka-bound passengers from the northern district of the country are facing troubles because of this decision.
Abul Hossain, a passenger, said, "After the announcement of railway service resumption, I came to the station but heard that they will not operate train from Rangpur to Dhaka."
"Bus fare is too high," he said, adding, "I am jobless for the last few months but I am not sure when I can return to Dhaka."
Another passenger named Limon Miah, who works at a private company in Dhaka, also was uncertain as to how he would come back to Dhaka to rejoin his office if the train service does not resume.
