No longer are the Chittagong University shuttle trains the drab, faded blue colour of the 1980s. They have each become pieces of art as a German artist couple have taken the initiative to paint them in a wide array of colours and motifs.
CU shuttle train Pimple Barua/Dhaka TribuneSome coaches depict the lush paddy fields of Bangladesh while some show the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger or the Jatiya Sangsad.
Lucas Gilinger, and his wife Livia Gilinger are the German couple who have embarked upon the mission to give the 14 trains that are part of the CU shuttle service a new look.
CU shuttle trains with a new appearance Pimple Barua/Dhaka TribuneLucas heads the RUSB art group in Germany and his wife is part of the group.
In a bid to beautify the otherwise drab coaches, the duo went to the Bangladesh Railways authorities and CU top brass for permission four months ago.
CU Registrar SM Monirul Hasan said that they met with the VC with a proposal to carry out the project with their own funds.
After considering the overall prospects, the CU authorities granted them permission, he said.
They started working on July 22 and will continue till July 27, with students and teachers of the Fine Arts Department chipping in.
Nearly 12,000 students regularly travel on the seven shuttle trains currently in operation on a daily basis.
Also Read: In Pictures: CU shuttle trains a pop of colour in a drab rail station
Around 42 years ago, authorities started the shuttle train service to make the 22km journey from Chittagong city to Hathazari Upazila where CU is located, easier.
CU shuttle train Pimple Barua/Dhaka TribuneChittagong railway station Manager Abul Kalam Azad hopes that the beautification of the coaches will make the students enjoy the train rides to the fullest.
