The intercity Mahanagar Express will begin operating on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route from Monday, October 26, under a revised timetable, giving passengers at several intermediate stations on the Dhaka-Chattogram route direct rail access to the tourist city.
Abu Bakar Siddique, manager of Chattogram Railway Station, confirmed the development on Friday.
According to railway sources, Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam will inaugurate the train’s first journey to Cox’s Bazar, departing Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka at 8:30 pm on Monday. The train is scheduled to reach Chattogram at 3:00 am and leave for Cox’s Bazar at 3:20 am.
Under the revised timetable, the train will leave Dhaka at 8:30 pm and arrive in Cox’s Bazar at 6:00 am the following day. On its return journey, it will depart Cox’s Bazar at 8:00 am, reach Chattogram at 12:20 pm and arrive in Dhaka at 6:30 pm.
The extended route will provide direct rail access to Cox’s Bazar for passengers travelling from Dhaka Airport, Narsingdi, Bhairab Bazar, Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, Kasba, Cumilla, Laksam, Nangalkot and Feni stations.
Previously, the Cox’s Bazar Express and Tourist Express, which operate between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar without intermediate stops, did not offer passengers a direct train service to these stations.
The route extension is expected to make travel more convenient and could help increase tourist arrivals and railway revenue.
The Mahanagar Express will have 16 coaches, with a total seating capacity of 706 to 736. It will have a weekly day off on Sunday.
Preparations for the new route are complete, and ticket sales began on October 16.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
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