Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate on Tuesday a milestone project – train services on the Dhaka-Bhanga route via the Padma Bridge.
The project aims to connect Dhaka, the capital city, with the southwestern district of Jessore.
The introduction of this railway line is expected to be a game-changer in the country's development narrative, as it will enhance transportation, trade, and create new opportunities for economic growth.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally open the 82-kilometre railway track, connecting Dhaka to Bhanga upazila in Faridpur, as part of the "Padma Bridge Railway Link Project."
The inauguration ceremony will take place at Mawa Railway Station in Munshiganj.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to travel to Faridpur by train and deliver a speech at 2 pm at Kazi Abu Yusuf Stadium in Bhanga upazila.
Successful trial runs of both a passenger train and a freight train have already been conducted on the route.
Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan recently stated, “The newly established railway link will have a significant impact on the country's economy, connecting Mongla port.”
He also emphasized, "We have plans to gradually integrate all 64 districts of the country into the railway network. The previous BNP government did not take any measures to develop the railway sector."
However, while the Dhaka-Bhanga rail route is officially inaugurated on Tuesday, commercial train operations on this route will commence shortly thereafter.
Bangladesh Railway is currently constructing a 172km-long set of new rail tracks, connecting Dhaka to Jessore as part of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project.
The 82km section connecting Dhaka and Bhanga opens on Tuesday, while the remaining portion linking Jessore is expected to be launched in June of next year, according to project officials.
On September 7th, the trial run of a specialized train along the Dhaka-Bhanga route via the Padma Bridge concluded successfully.
Prior to this, Bangladesh Railways conducted a trial run from Bhanga to the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge on April 4th, following the completion of the stone-less railway line on the bridge.
On October 14th of the preceding year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction phase of the rail link connecting Dhaka and Jessore as part of the 'Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project.' The project is estimated to cost Taka 39,246.80 crore, with the Exim Bank of China providing a loan of Taka 21,036.70 crore.
Once completed, this railway connection will significantly enhance accessibility to the capital city for the central and southwestern regions of the country through the Padma Bridge, encompassing new areas, including Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur, and Narail districts, according to project details.
When will train services start?
According to project insiders, the train fare has not been decided yet, which may delay the start of passenger services. There is a possibility of passenger train services commencing in the last week of October.
Initially, three intercity trains are set to run on this rail line: the Modhumoti Express intercity from Rajshahi to Dhaka, the Sundarban intercity from Khulna to Dhaka, and the Benapole intercity from Benapole to Dhaka.
The proposed fares for Benapole Express range from Tk495 to Tk1,770 for the journey from Benapole to Dhaka. Sundarban Express fares start from Tk510 to Tk1835 for the Khulna to Dhaka route, and Modhumoti Express fares range from Tk485 to Tk1,735 for the Rajshahi to Dhaka route.
These prices have been proposed and are subject to change based on the train class and seating arrangement.
The complete train services will start after the total rail line construction work is finished until Jessore. Only Dhaka to Bhanga passenger services are likely to commence this October.
Southwestern districts cheer
AKM Enamul Haque Shameem, deputy minister of the Ministry of Water Resources and lawmaker of Shariatpur-2 constituency, expressed his enthusiasm and said: “First, the Padma Bridge has dramatically transformed the lives and economy of the people of greater Faridpur and the southwestern districts. Now, the Padma rail link is going to be another milestone for us.”
He continued: “Once it was an impossible dream that the trail would run via the Padma Bridge; now, this dream has turned into reality all because of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership. On the inauguration day, a million people will gather on both sides of the Padma rail line to express their gratitude to Sheikh Hasina.”
After completing the formal ceremony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend a public rally arranged by Faridpur District Awami League at Kazi Abu Yusuf Stadium in Bhanga upazila.
Local MP of Bhanga and Awami Jubo League Presidium member Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon confirmed that all arrangements have been completed to make the rally colourful.
“The decoration work has already been completed on both sides of the road, including the stadium, and extensive arrangements have been made to bring the maximum number of people that the prime minister will be happy to meet in my area,” he added.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, after completing the train journey and the schedule marking the inauguration day in Bhanga end of Faridpur, the premier will go to her parental home in Tungipara, Gopalganj, and return to Dhaka on the following day.