Godkhali, Dhopakhola and Meherullahnagar railway stations in Jessore now stand largely abandoned, their dilapidated buildings and overgrown platforms serving as reminders of a bygone era.
Once important for passenger transport, agriculture and trade, the stations have gradually lost their significance, leaving local communities with limited railway access. Residents and stakeholders are now demanding that the three stations be renovated and reopened with modern passenger facilities.
Meherullahnagar Railway Station, located near Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST), currently has a stop for a mail train but no intercity services. As a result, around 5,500 students, along with teachers, officials and employees, have to travel nearly 12 kilometres to Jessore Junction to catch intercity trains.
The additional journey increases travel time and costs. Students also risk missing trains when they cannot reach Jessore station on time, particularly at night.
Engineer Ruhul Amin, member secretary of the Greater Jessore Railway Communication Development Struggle Committee, said reopening the stations could bring significant economic and social benefits.
“Railway transport is an affordable and convenient means of communication alongside road transport. Reopening the closed stations would boost economic activities, particularly the transportation of agricultural products, trade and commerce, and student mobility,” he said.
He called for the stations to be renovated, necessary infrastructure to be developed and passenger services restored.
Godkhali: From railway hub to flower capital
Godkhali in Jhikargachha upazila was historically one of the oldest and most prosperous settlements in Jessore. Although the area suffered from malaria and epidemics in the early 19th century, the introduction of railway communication helped restore its importance.
Between 1882 and 1884, the Bengal Central Railway constructed a line from Dum Dum Junction to Khulna, with the Benapole-Jessore route forming part of the network. Government records show that in 1938, the Benapole-Jessore route included stations at Navaron, Godkhali, Jhikargachha and Dhopakhola.
Godkhali was also once part of the route of the Barisal Express, which ran from Sealdah to Khulna via Bongaon, Petrapole and Godkhali. Cross-border passenger movement continued after the 1947 Partition through passports and visas. However, following the India-Pakistan war in 1965, international train services on the route, including the Barisal Express, were suspended.
Today, Godkhali is known as Bangladesh’s “flower capital”. The area began emerging as a commercial flower-growing centre in 1982 through the efforts of flower grower Sher Ali. A wide variety of flowers are now cultivated throughout the year in Godkhali and neighbouring areas.
But the railway station that once connected the community to distant markets has lost its former bustle. The abandoned building still bears the faded inscription “Ticket Loiben” (buy tickets), while old ticket-counter hours remain visible on the wall.
Abdur Rahim, president of the Godkhali Flower Producers and Marketing Cooperative Society, said reopening the station could transform flower transportation from the region.
“Flower growers want to transport their produce to Dhaka by train via the Padma Bridge. This would allow flowers to reach markets across the country more quickly,” he said.
He added that Godkhali attracts visitors throughout the year and reopening the station would also make the area more accessible to tourists.
Meherullahnagar: A station beside a university
Meherullahnagar Railway Station is located in Chatiantala village of Churamonkati Union in Jessore Sadar upazila. The station remained closed for years before a mail train service was introduced. However, no intercity train currently stops there.
Given its proximity to JUST, the university administration has demanded scheduled stops for intercity and other suitable trains. The university has already written to railway authorities seeking the introduction of such services.
JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Iarul Kabir said such train stops would save time and money for teachers, students and other members of the university community and would also support the university’s academic, research and administrative activities.
Student Sakibul Hasan said the lack of intercity stops creates significant difficulties, particularly for those travelling at night. Students have to travel nearly 13 kilometres to Jessore Station, increasing costs and creating safety concerns due to limited transport.
Dhopakhola: A station lost to time
Dhopakhola, another important station on the Jessore-Benapole route, has also fallen into disrepair.
Established in 1884, the station once served farmers, traders and local residents. People from surrounding areas would travel by bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages or on foot to board trains there. The station played an important role in transporting agricultural products, facilitating trade and connecting communities with Jessore town.
As road communication improved, however, the importance of Dhopakhola gradually declined and its operations were eventually discontinued.
Today, weeds and climbing plants have engulfed the platform and station building, leaving little trace of the activity that once defined the place.
Jessore Railway Junction Station Master Saiduzzaman said reopening a railway station requires a decision from higher authorities.
For residents, farmers, traders and students, the demand is straightforward: renovate the stations, restore regular train services and reconnect these communities with Jessore and the wider country.
