The much-anticipated train service on the Dhaka-Jessore-Khulna-Benapole route, via the Padma Bridge, is set to begin on December 2, according to officials familiar with the development.
“We are hopeful that the passenger train service on the Dhaka-Benapole route via the Padma Bridge will officially begin on December 2,” said Md Afzal Hossain, Project Director of the Padma Rail Link.
He confirmed that the Sundarban Express will depart from Khulna at approximately 6am on December 2, heading to Kamalapur, while the Benapole Express will leave Kamalapur for Benapole at around 11am the same day.
Hossain added that the total journey time from Dhaka to Benapole will be approximately 3.5 hours.
The newly constructed broad-gauge single-line rail track now connects the existing Khulna-bound rail line via Rupdia and Singia stations.
The government has built the 172 kilometre new railway track, with plans to upgrade it to a double track between Kamalapur, Rupdia, and Singia stations, at a cost of Tk37,155 crore.
This development followed a successful two-day inspection by the Bangladesh Railway Inspector General (GIBR) of the line from Bhanga to Jessore.
Bangladesh Railway (BR) has constructed the 172km broad-gauge single-line from Dhaka to Jessore via the Padma Bridge, the largest project for BR in terms of cost, with over half of the funding provided by China in the form of a loan.
The Dhaka-Bhanga section of the line opened in October last year, and five trains are currently operating on this section.
Once the line becomes fully operational, the distance between Dhaka and Jessore will be reduced by 200km, cutting travel time in half.
Currently, the journey to Jessore takes over eight hours.
This rail link will directly connect the country’s two largest seaports, Chittagong and Mongla, facilitating trade and commerce.