Pair of new commuter trains launched on Dhaka-Gopalganj route

A pair of new commuter trains named “Abhijatri Commuter” started operating on the Dhaka-Gopalganj-Dhaka route via the Padma Bridge on Monday.

The first train made its maiden journey from Kamalapur Railway Station at 3:30pm. Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the service at the station.

State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain, and senior officials of the ministry and Bangladesh Railway were present at the inauguration.

Speaking at the event, Rabiul Alam said the government is giving priority to expanding safe, affordable, modern and environment-friendly railway services.

Alongside developing an effective commuter network between the capital and surrounding areas, various initiatives have also been taken to expand intercity rail services, he said.

The minister said that despite limitations in the availability of passenger coaches and locomotives, the new pair of commuter trains has been introduced on the Dhaka-Gopalganj-Dhaka route within 180 days of the government taking charge through efficient resource management.

The new service will enable office-goers, students, businesspeople and other passengers from Gopalganj and adjoining areas to travel to Dhaka every day at a relatively low cost and return home after the working day, he said.

The service is expected to reduce the tendency among people to relocate permanently to the capital, helping ease pressure on Dhaka's housing, traffic and urban services.

The commuter service will also facilitate the transportation of vegetables, agricultural produce, fish and other locally produced goods from Gopalganj and surrounding areas to markets in Dhaka at relatively lower costs, potentially benefiting producers and consumers alike.

According to the railway schedule, Train No. 135 Abhijatri Commuter will leave Dhaka for Gopalganj at 3:30pm and reach Gopalganj at 6:45pm.

Train No. 136 Abhijatri Commuter will depart Gopalganj at 7:15pm and arrive in Dhaka at 10:25pm.

The train has eight coaches with a total seating capacity of 630 passengers. The 148-kilometre route has seven stoppage stations — Keraniganj, Srinagar, Mawa, Bhanga Junction, Nagarkanda, Maheshpur and Kashiani Junction.

The service will remain closed on Saturdays as its weekly holiday.

On the inaugural journey, Gopalganj-1 MP Md Selimuzzaman Mollá, Gopalganj-2 MP Dr KM Babar and Gopalganj-3 MP SM Jilani travelled from Dhaka to Gopalganj with the passengers.