Dhaka: Bangladesh Railway has taken the initiative to launch two new intercity trains on the Dhaka-Pabna and Dhaka-Khulna routes on a priority basis as around 200 new passenger coaches are set to be added to its fleet this month.
Railway officials said the new services are expected to improve connectivity and make travel easier for passengers in the western region.
According to railway sources, several new railway routes have been opened in recent years, including the Jamuna Bridge-Pabna line in 2018, the Dhaka-Padma Bridge route in 2022 and the Khulna-Mongla route in 2024.
However, adequate train services could not be introduced on these routes due to a shortage of passenger coaches.
After the new coaches are added to the fleet, the Ministry of Railways plans to introduce intercity train services on the Dhaka-Pabna and Dhaka-Khulna routes. The ministry is also considering launching a commuter train on the Dhaka-Gopalganj route and extending the Dhaka-Khulna service to Mongla.
Western Railway General Manager Farid Ahmed said a proposal is being prepared to initially introduce the two new intercity trains on the Dhaka-Pabna and Dhaka-Khulna routes.
Meanwhile, passengers in the Rajshahi and Jashore regions have demanded the immediate resumption of suspended local train services and the replacement of ageing coaches on five existing trains.
Greater Jashore Rail Communication Development Struggle Committee Member Secretary Zillur Rahman Vitu and Rajshahi Raksha Sangram Parishad General Secretary Zamat Khan urged the authorities to restore suspended train services and reopen closed railway stations at the earliest.
Acknowledging the shortage of manpower, Farid Ahmed said initiatives have been taken to gradually reopen closed stations and resume suspended train services through fresh recruitment and the appointment of station masters on a contractual basis.
