March 29, 2024, 6:15 pm


FT Online

Published:
2019-07-04 21:07:36 BdST

Dhaka-Benapole direct train service from July 25: Minister


Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan visits Benapole Railway Station on Wednesday, Jul 3, 2019.

Good news for cross-border travellers! A direct train service from Dhaka to Benapole will be launched on July 25 next, which will facilitate the travel of India-bound people through Benapole Checkpost, said Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the train service from Dhaka through a videoconference,” the minister said while talking to reporters after visiting Benapole Railway Station on Wednesday afternoon.

Initially, a train will run from Dhaka to Benapole and vice versa every day, he said.

The train, which is yet to be named, will have 10 coaches, including two of cabins and two of AC chairs, Sujan said. 

He said the fare for a cabin seat will be Tk 1,200 while that of an AC chair Tk 1,000 and non-AC chair Tk 500.

The minister said the train will be almost a non-stop one as it will make stoppage at a very few stations.

Around 6,000-7,000 people from different parts of the country, especially Dhaka, travel to India through Benapole Checkpost every day, said sources at the checkpost.

Most of them use buses to reach Benapole. However, they have to undergo untold sufferings very often due to gridlocks on roads, particularly at Doulatdia and Paturia ferryghats.

Once the train service is in place, the India-bound passengers can travel to Benapole with ease, said the sources.

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