Khulna Correspondent

The Jahanabad Express, a new train, has commenced its journey on the Khulna-Dhaka route via the Padma Bridge.

On Tuesday morning, the train carried 553 passengers, filling 70 percent of its 768-seat capacity, on its inaugural journey.

The train, which departed Khulna at 6am, reached Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station in three hours and 45 minutes. The journey included stops at major junctions such as Nawapara, Singia Junction, Narail, Lohagara, Kashiani Junction, and Bhanga, according to Ashiq Ahmed, acting station master at Khulna Railway Station.

During the inaugural journey, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain highlighted the fare structure as Tk 445 for Shobhon seats, Tk 851 taka for Snigdha seats (AC chair), and Tk 1,018 taka for AC seats. While these prices are fixed for now, officials hinted at a possible hike in the future.

According to the director general, new engines and coaches are being procured from abroad and more trains will run on this route within six months.

Dubbed the “Ruposhi Bangla Express”, the Jahanabad Express will depart from Dhaka every day except for Monday at 10:45am, and reach Benapole at 2:30pm.

Then it will make a return trip from Benapole at 3:25pm and reach Dhaka at 7pm via Jashore Junction, Narail, Kashiani Junction and Bhanga.

The train will again leave for Khulna from Dhaka at 8pm as the Jahanabad Express. It will arrive in Khulna at 11:45pm.

Khulna District General Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance Qudrat-e-Khuda said: "With the launch of this new train service, Khulna's communication with the capital Dhaka will be much easier. Since there is currently no flight service from Khulna, it will easily win the hearts of the people. This will increase the economic activities of Khulna."

"However, the last station of the train is in Kamalapur. If it can be extended to the airport station, it will benefit the people of Khulna even more."

Despite the excitement, some have raised concerns about the train’s schedule.

Liaquat Hossain and Shahid Hossain, two passengers of the train said: “Train travel to Dhaka has not been pleasant for Khulna residents for a long time. Now it will take only three hours and 45 minutes to reach Dhaka from Khulna.”

"However, the train is leaving Khulna at 6 am. Many will not be able to reach the station at such an early time. Again, after reaching Khulna at 12:15am, it will be difficult for passengers from far away to reach their destination. For this, either the train timings should be rescheduled or the number of trains should be increased."

According to railway officials, currently, two trains - the Sundarban Express and the Chitra Express are - plying the Dhaka-Khulna route.

The Sundarban Express goes to Khulna via the Padma Bridge via Rajbari-Kushtia. It takes about seven hours to travel from Khulna to Dhaka on this train.

The Chitra Express runs via the Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge. The train takes about nine and a half hours. Apart from this, Benapole Express goes from Dhaka via Rajbari and Kushtia to Benapole in Jashore, a journey of seven and a half hours.