Dhaka-Gopalganj rail route opens

A pair of new commuter trains, ‘Abhijatri Commuter’, began operations on the Dhaka-Gopalganj-Dhaka route via the Padma Bridge on Monday, opening a new rail link between the capital and Gopalganj.

Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the service at 3:30pm at Dhaka Railway Station in Kamalapur.

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Railways Habibur Rashid, Railway Secretary Md Fahimul Islam, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain and senior officials from the ministries and Bangladesh Railway were present at the launching event.

The government is giving priority to expanding safe, affordable, modern and environment-friendly rail services, officials said. The new service is also aimed at strengthening connectivity between Dhaka and the surrounding regions.

Train No. 135 will leave Dhaka at 3:30pm and reach Gopalganj at 6:45pm. The return service, Train No. 136, will depart Gopalganj at 7:15pm and arrive in Dhaka at 10:25pm.

The 148-kilometre route will have seven stoppages: Keraniganj, Srinagar, Mawa, Bhanga Junction, Nagarkanda, Maheshpur and Kashiani Junction.