Demand for new trains on Dhaka -Sylhet route : Railway blockade withdrawn with assurance to meet demands
Kulaura (Moulvibazar) Correspondent
A railway blockade program has been held at Kulaura Junction station in Moulvibazar over eight-point demands, including the introduction of two new trains on the Sylhet-Dhaka and Sylhet-Cox's Bazar railway routes. The program began at 10 am on Saturday.
A railway blockade program has been held at Kulaura Junction station in Moulvibazar over eight-point demands, including the introduction of two new trains on the Sylhet-Dhaka and Sylhet-Cox's Bazar railway routes. The program began at 10 am on Saturday.
The protest leaders announced the withdrawal of the program after about 4 hours at around 2 pm, assuring that the demands of the concerned authorities would be met. Earlier, a meeting was held between the protestors' delegation and senior railway officials. Several trains were stranded at various railway stations due to the blockade. The matter was confirmed by M Atiqur Rahman, chief coordinator of the 'Eight-Point Demand Implementation Movement' organization and general secretary of Kulaura Businessmen's Welfare Association.
He said that in the meeting, railway officials talked about adding two additional coaches to all intercity trains and installing improved engines in the trains. After Azampur station, they will discuss with senior officials to stop the halting of intercity Parabat and Kalni Express trains at other stations. Officials said that the closed railway station will be opened by December and two local trains will be started on the Sylhet-Akhaura section. Within 72 hours, one 40-seat coach will be provided in the intercity Parabat, Upaban and Kalni Express trains from Kulaura to Sylhet Railway Station. Railway officials said that a project worth Tk 1,739 crore has been taken for the renovation of the Sylhet-Akhaura railway line. Tenders for the work will be invited in November this year. Apart from this, two new trains will be started on the Sylhet-Dhaka and Sylhet-Cox's Bazar railway lines by January 2026.
According to the agitators, people have been gathering at the Kulaura railway station since morning with red flags in their hands to make the program a success. They joined the procession in parts under the banners of various political, social and labor organizations. At that time, under the leadership of M Atiqur Rahman, joint convener of the eight-point demand implementation movement in Kulaura, Abed Raja, BNP's candidate for the 13th parliamentary election from Moulvibazar-2 (Kulaura Upazila), Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Shahed Ali and many others spoke.
At one stage, BNP Chairperson's advisor and former mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Ariful Haque Chowdhury virtually joined the program and expressed solidarity with it. He said, "Sylhet division is facing discrimination in various fields including railways and road communication. Along with Kulaura, the people of Sylhet have also risen up against this discrimination. The eight-point demands of the railways are logical.
The eight-point demands are: - Prompt start of the approved Tanguar Express on the Dhaka-Sylhet railway route, as well as two special trains on the Sylhet-Dhaka and Sylhet-Cox's Bazar railway routes; renovation of the Akhaura-Sylhet railway route and upgrading to a dual-gauge double line; start of a local train on the Akhaura-Sylhet section; start of all closed stations on the Akhaura-Sylhet section and increase in the number of seats..
