The announcement of more trains on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route to address demand is undeniably positive.
Rail connectivity to Cox’s Bazar has already transformed travel for millions, and adding another pair of trains will ease pressure on existing services, improve accessibility, and strengthen economic links between the capital and our most significant tourism hub.
With that said, this development should be seen as part of a much larger national need: We have long needed to invest far more - and far more consistently - in our rail network.
For decades, rail has been treated as a secondary mode of transport, overshadowed by highways and short‑term road expansion. The result is visible everywhere: Congested highways, unsafe long‑distance bus travel, rising transport emissions, and logistics bottlenecks that have slowed down our economy.
Rail, by contrast, is safer, cleaner, more affordable, and far more efficient for both passengers and freight.
The new Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar train pair is a step in the right direction, but we must see far more. We need a rail‑first development strategy that expands the capacity of our railways.
As such, we expect the same urgency across all rail routes to all divisions. Freight corridors too must be strengthened so industries can move goods without relying solely on trucks. And regional links - including potential future connections with India, Nepal, and Bhutan - should be part of long‑term planning.
Our ever-growing population and rising urbanization demand a transport system that can move people and goods reliably. Bangladesh has already invested heavily in megaprojects, sometimes unwisely. Now it must invest in the everyday infrastructure that keeps a country moving.
The real goal should be clear: A modern, extensive, and reliable rail network that serves the entire nation.
