Train services on the Dhaka-Benapole route via the Padma Bridge are set to begin on December 2.
Padma Rail Link Project Director Md Afzal Hossain stated, "We are optimistic about the official launch of passenger train services on the Dhaka-Benapole route via the Padma Bridge starting December 2."
He also narrated that on that day, the Sundarbans Express will depart from Khulna to Kamalapur Railway Station at around 6:00 am, while the Benapole Express will leave Kamalapur for Benapole at approximately 11:00 am,reports The Daily Star.
The total journey time from Dhaka to Benapole will be approximately three and a half hours.
The newly built broad gauge rail line connects the existing Khulna-bound tracks through Rupdia and Singia stations. This 172-kilometre railway stretch from Kamalapur to Rupdia and Singia has been completed at a cost of Tk 37,155 crore.
According to Matiar Rahman, Director of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, once the Benapole-bound rail line via the Padma Bridge becomes operational, the distance from Dhaka to Jashore will be shortened by 200 kilometres, cutting the travel time in half. Currently, the journey from Dhaka to Jashore takes over eight hours.
Rahman also added that the new rail route could significantly boost trade between Bangladesh and India.
Padma Rail Link Project Director Md Afzal Hossain said that the rail line project is the largest for the railway in terms of cost.
More than half of the cost is being provided by China as loan assistance. The Dhaka-Bhanga section of this line opened in October last year and five trains are running on this section.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
