New passenger train launched on Dhaka-Chilahati route

A new passenger train, Chilahati Express, was inaugurated on the Chilahati-Dhaka-Chilahati route on Sunday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the operation of the train blowing a whistle and waving a flag at a ceremony. The inauguration event was held at at Chilahati Railway Station in Nilphamari. The prime minister joined the programme virtually from Ganabhaban.

The new Chilahati Express, having the capacity of carrying 800 passengers with modern facilities, will run on the Chilahati-Dhaka-Chilahati route six-day in a week, reports BSS.

Chilahati Railway Station is an important intersection in Nilphamari district as the Haldibari-Chilahati route was revived to resume rail communication between Bangladesh and India.

Alongside goods-laden waggons, the inter-country Mitali Express is running on this route.

Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah moderated the ceremony, while railway secretary Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir delivered a welcome address. Railways Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, MP, also spoke on the occasion.

A video documentary on the Bangladesh Railway (BR) was screened.

Since 2009 after assuming power, the Awami League government in the last 14 years has installed a total of 740km new railway tracks, while converted 280km rail track into dual-gauge and rehabilitated 1308km rail track.

During the period, a total of 114 locomotives were collected for the Bangladesh Railway (BR) along with 623 new passenger carriages and 516 goods-carrying waggons.

In addition, the signalling systems of 130 railway stations have been modernised.

Now, 142 new trains are running for passengers' movement.