Padma bridge shortens Dhaka-Khulna train journey to 4.15hrs

Two new pairs of intercity trains have started operating on the Dhaka-Khulna and Benapole routes, marking the launch of train services on the route via the Padma Bridge. 

The two new trains are the Jahanabad Express, which will run on the Dhaka-Khulna route, and the Rupashi Bangla Express, which will operate on the Dhaka-Benapole route. The inauguration of the Jahanabad Express took place in Khulna, led by Md Afzal Hossain, Director General of Bangladesh Railways. 

The Jahanabad Express began its journey from Khulna at 6:00 am on Tuesday (December 24) and reached Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station at 10:15 am, completing the journey in 4 hours and 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, the Rupashi Bangla Express was inaugurated at 10:00 am at Kamalapur Railway Station by Railways Adviser Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, Md. Fahimul Islam, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen, and senior railway officials.

According to the schedule, the Jahanabad Express will depart from Khulna at 6:00 am and arrive in Dhaka at 9:45 am. From Dhaka, it will leave at 8:00 pm and reach Khulna at 11:40 pm. The train will stop at Noyapara, Singia Junction, Narail, Lohagara, Kashiani Junction, and Vanga Junction.

On the other hand, the Rupashi Bangla Express will depart from Dhaka at 10:45 am and reach Benapole at 2:30 pm. From Benapole, it will leave at 3:30 pm and reach Dhaka at 7:10 pm. The train will stop at Jashore Junction, Narail, Kashiani Junction, and Vanga Junction.

Both trains will be closed on Mondays and have a seating capacity of 768 passengers.