200 new coaches being added to railway fleet, new trains to be launched

Bangladesh Railway Director General Afzal Hossain provided this information to journalists after inspecting Panchagarh Railway Station at noon on Friday (30 October).

He said that a portion of the new coaches had already arrived in the country and been added to the railway fleet. There are plans to initially launch a new train with these coaches. Later, as more coaches arrive in the country, new trains will be launched and old coaches replaced considering passenger demand and needs.

Regarding the possibility of launching a direct train from Panchagarh to Cox's Bazar, the Director General said that it is a matter of long-term planning. As all railway lines in the country have not yet been converted to broad gauge, a final decision on the matter cannot be made for now. Along with converting the railway lines to broad gauge, it will also have to be assessed whether sufficient passengers can be found on this long route.

Regarding the extension of the railway to Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh, Afzal Hossain said that to ensure regional connectivity, a railway connection is also needed on India's side. If a rail line is constructed only in Bangladesh's portion, the expected benefit of regional connectivity will not be achieved. The project can be implemented only if both countries agree. Although the matter is under consideration, activities are currently suspended.

The Director General of Bangladesh Railway further said that facilities for loading and unloading goods at various stations and passengers' demands are being observed on the ground. At stations where passenger and transport demand is high, initiatives will be taken to expand rail lines, increase loop lines, and increase the number of train coaches as needed.

During the inspection, Station Master Zahid Hasan of Panchagarh Railway Station, officials and employees of various levels of the railway, and leaders and activists of various levels of the district BNP were present.