New passenger train services on the Dhaka-Khulna route as well as Dhaka-Benapole are being launched on Tuesday, offering a faster and more cost-effective journey via the Padma Bridge.
Earlier, travelling from Khulna to Dhaka by the Sundarban Express or Chitra Express took over eight hours and involved higher fares. The new trains will complete the journey in just around four hours, at reduced costs, making the service more convenient for passengers.
Residents of Khulna and nearby areas have long awaited this fast rail service, particularly since the inauguration of the Padma Bridge. Now their anticipation is turning into reality.
A Khulna-based businessman, who did not give his name, expressed his excitement, saying with the new Jahanabad Express, one could reach Dhaka by 9:45am after departing from Khulna at 6am.
“Covering this distance in under four hours is incredible. This will directly benefit us, allowing us to complete our tasks in Dhaka and return to Khulna the same day,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan is scheduled to officially inaugurate the two new train services, according to Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, senior information officer at the Ministry of Railways.
Train details
The two new trains are the Jahanabad Express, serving the Khulna-Dhaka-Khulna route, and the Ruposhi Bangla Express, which will operate on the Benapole-Dhaka-Benapole route.
Both trains are equipped with 12 coaches and can accommodate 768 passengers each. They will operate daily, except on Mondays.
Travel time between Dhaka and Khulna or Benapole will be drastically reduced. The journey will now take 3 hours and 45 minutes, compared to the 9 hours via the Tangail-Ishwardi route or 7 hours and 35 minutes via the Rajbari-Benapole route.
This service is expected to improve rail connectivity, facilitate faster commutes and boost regional trade between Dhaka, Khulna and Benapole.
Schedules
The Jahanabad Express (825) will leave Khulna at 6am and arrive in Dhaka at 9:45am.
The Jahanabad Express (826) will leave Dhaka at 8pm and reach Khulna at 11:40pm.
Stops: Noapara, Singia Junction, Lohagada, Kashiani Junction and Bhanga Junction.
The Ruposhi Bangla Express (828) will depart Dhaka at 10:45am and arrive in Benapole at 2:30pm.
The Ruposhi Bangla Express (827) will depart Benapole at 3:30pm and arrive in Dhaka at 7:10pm.
Stops: Jessore Junction, Narail, Kashiani Junction and Bhanga Junction.
Fares
The train fare for the Jahanabad Express and Ruposhi Bangla Express on the Dhaka-Khulna route is Tk445 for Shovon Chair, Tk740 for Snigdha Chair, Tk885 for AC Chair and Tk1,330 for AC Berth.
On the other hand, the fare for the Sundarban Express on the same route is Tk625 for Shovon Chair, Tk1,196 for Snigdha Chair and Tk1,432 for AC Chair.
Meanwhile, the Chitra Express charges TK630 for Shovon Chair, Tk1,208 for Snigdha Chair and Tk2,168 for AC Berth on the Dhaka-Khulna route.
The Dhaka-Bhanga section became operational in October 2022, with five trains currently operating daily.
The full operation of the Dhaka-Khulna line will significantly reduce travel time, reducing the distance between Dhaka and Jessore by nearly 200 kilometres. This halves the previous eight-hour journey via the Jamuna Bridge.
The new line connects Dhaka directly to Khulna and facilitates links between the country’s two largest seaports, Chittagong and Mongla.
With the first phase of the project already inaugurated, the construction company, China Railway Engineering Corporation, successfully conducted the completion test and commissioning for the remaining section between Bhanga and Jessore in March.
On September 30, the government inspector of Bangladesh Railway commissioned the rail line for the final approval to operate trains.
