Summary:
- The Dhaka-Khulna train service via Padma Bridge launched on December 24, 2024, reducing travel time to just 3 hours and 45 minutes.
- Two trains, Jahanabad Express and Ruposhi Bangla Express, will operate daily except Mondays with a capacity of 768 seats each.
- Ticket prices range from Tk445 for Shovon chairs to Tk1,330 for AC berths, available through counters, online platforms, and mobile apps.
- The service is expected to boost connectivity, economic growth, and tourism between Dhaka and Khulna.
The highly anticipated Dhaka-Khulna train service via the Padma Bridge officially commenced operations on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s transportation infrastructure. The inaugural journey departed from Khulna Railway Station at 6:00 AM and arrived at Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station at 10:45 AM, completing the route in just 3 hours and 45 minutes. This development drastically reduces travel time compared to the previous routes, which took 9.5 hours via Tangail-Ishwardi and 7 hours and 35 minutes via Rajbari.
Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan inaugurated the service, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and easing travel for citizens. The service includes two trains: the Jahanabad Express on the Khulna-Dhaka-Khulna route and the Ruposhi Bangla Express on the Benapole-Dhaka-Benapole route. Each train features 12 coaches with a total capacity of 768 seats. On its maiden journey, the Jahanabad Express carried 553 passengers from Khulna, with remaining seats booked from other stations along the route.
The new service operates daily except Mondays, with departures from Khulna at 6:00 AM and returns from Dhaka at 8:00 PM, arriving in Khulna at 11:45 PM. Tickets for these trains have been available since December 21 through station counters, online platforms, and mobile apps. Fares range from Tk445 for Shovon chairs to Tk1,330 for AC berths, making it accessible to a wide range of passengers.
Passengers have expressed enthusiasm for the service, which not only saves time but also offers a more comfortable and efficient travel option. The Padma Bridge has played a pivotal role in this achievement by providing a direct and faster connection between Dhaka and Khulna. This new rail link is expected to boost economic activities and tourism in the region while strengthening national connectivity.
This initiative underscores Bangladesh’s strides in modernizing its railway infrastructure and improving public transportation services. With its reduced travel time and competitive pricing, the Dhaka-Khulna train service via Padma Bridge is poised to become a vital transportation link for millions of people.
Source: TBS News
