The government is going to launch the operation of Benapole-Dhaka direct train service on July 25, which would facilitate a large number of passengers, especially those travelling to India for treatment and other purposes, make faster and hassle-free journey.
Meanwhile, the people of the region have expressed great enthusiasm at the news of introduction of train communication between Dhaka and Benapole, as their long-waited dream to have a direct train service will come true after 48 years of the Independence of Bangladesh.
Benapole Railway Station Master Saiduzzaman said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the operation of the service through a video conferences from Dhaka.
Every day, about six to seven thousand passport-bearing passengers travel to India through Benapole check post from remote areas of the country.
Besides, lots of passengers come from Dhaka to Benapole and often face harassment due to traffic congestion in Daulatdia Paturia Ferry Ghat.
Locals said that for business, trade and treatment, it is easy to communicate with Kolkata via Benapole route.
Benapole stationmaster Sayeduzzaman said, there will be ten compartments in the train. Though three names - Benapole Express, Bandar Express and Ichamoti Express have been selected for the train, the authorities are yet to finalize the train’s name, he added.
Out of ten compartments, two will be cabins, two will be air-conditioned with chairs and the rest six will be regular chair compartments. The fare has been set at Tk 1,200 per passenger for cabin, Tk 1,000 for AC chair and Tk 500 for non-AC chairs.
While talking to Bangladesh Post at Benapole check-post on Monday, Alamgir Hossain, a passport-bearer passenger travelling from Dhaka, said that due to severe congestion at Aricha Ghat, the passengers suffer a lot. “You can imagine my misery as I started from Dhaka at 10pm on Sunday and reached Benapole Monday afternoon at 2pm,’ he said adding, the train service once opens would bring a sigh of relief to many passengers like him.
Benapole C&F Agents Associations President Mofizur Rahman Sozan said, “I am really happy to know the new of launching Benapole-Dhaka direct train service. People can travel to India comfortably for business and treatment purposes. With introduction of the train service on Dhaka-Benapole route, the entire country will be benefited.”
Motiar Rahman, chairman of the Export-Import Sub-Committee of India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and industries (land port sub committee) said that the new rail service on Benapole-Dhaka route will help expand trade and commerce between the two countries to a great extent.
