Railway Minister Advocate Nurul Islam Sujan on Thursday said Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh will facilitate safe travel at low cost through rail connectivity in addition to expanding inter-country trade.
“In the future, these four countries will get the benefit of railways in the same way that Banglabandha land port by tying Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh together,” the minister said while inaugurating the Panchagarh-Rajshahi intercity train Banglabandha Express at Panchagarh Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station on Thursday noon.
The Banglabandha Express train has added a new dimension to the railway communication of the people of North Bengal, running from Panchagarh Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station on the Rajshahi route.
The minister said the train would run directly from Rangpur to Murshidabad in India and from Rajshahi to Nepal via Siliguri in India via Banglabandha in Panchagarh.
The Minister further said that talks have already been held with the Government of India. They have expressed interest in extending the rail link from Panchagarh to Siliguri via Banglabandha land port. The railway line from Panchagarh to Banglabandha will be extended soon.
He added that the present government has given special importance to the rail communication system. Another dual gauge railway bridge is being built next to Bangabandhu Bridge. It will be a double line. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation of the new railway bridge on November 25.
Nurul Islam Sujan said that in the future by establishing rail communication system, not only with India but also with Nepal and Bhutan, we will have our strong communication system.
The Railway Minister said the direct intercity train on the Panchagarh-Rajshahi route was a long-standing demand of the people of the region and North Bengal and that demand has been met.
The establishment of rail communication system will have a positive impact on education, culture and economy.
Meanwhile, the people of Panchagarh have expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for fulfilling the long standing expectations of the people of Panchagarh as the Banglabandha Express train has started running on the route.
The train will leave Rajshahi at 9:15 pm and will reach Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station at 5:10 am. Again, it will leave Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station at 8:30 am and reach Rajshahi at 5:30 pm.
The stop stations on both the routes of Banglabandha Express are Abdulpur, Natore, Madhanagar, Ahsanganj, Santahar, Akkelpur, Joypurhat, Panchbibi, Birampur, Fulbari, Parbatipur, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur, Setabganj, Pirganj, Shibganj, Ruhia and Kismat.
The train has 508 seats during the day and 496 at night. The 'Banglabandha Express train from Rajshahi will be closed weekly on Fridays, and from the Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station on Saturdays.
