Dhaka-C’nawabganj: PM flags off ‘spl mango train’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday inaugurated a "special mango train" on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route via Rajshahi in order to transport mangoes at lower cost.

She opened the train service virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway has taken the initiative to transport mangoes at lower cost for the welfare of mango farmers and traders amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The train, having a capacity of carrying 150 tonnes in its five wagons, will run on the route every day. The transport cost is up to Tk 1.3 per kg and Tk 1,300 per tonne of mango.

Representational image. Photo: Rabiul Hasan/File

The train will stop at 14 stations on the route for loading mangoes. It may make stoppages at other stations based on parcel booking and unloading.

At the function, the prime minister also virtually laid the foundation stone of Madhukhali (Faridpur)-Kamarkhali-Magura New Rail Line Construction Project.

Bangladesh Railway is implementing the project to build the 24.80 km broad-gauge track at an estimated cost of Tk 1,202 crore in 18 months.

Speaking at the programme, Hasina said the government has been working to expand the rail network throughout the country.

She said there is also a plan to construct a high speed rail line on the Dhaka-Chattogram route. The government will construct the high speed line if the soil is found suitable after conducting a feasibility study, she added.

Besides, the rail connectivity with neighbouring India on different routes, which remained suspended after the 1965 war, is now being restored and the connectivity on some routes has already been resumed, she said.

Hasina said there is a plan to extend the railway connectivity to Siliguri, India.

Talking about the Madhukhali-Kamarkhali-Magura rail line, the PM said the people of Magura will be benefited from the rail connectivity in a larger way once the construction of Padma Bridge is completed.

She directed the authorities concerned to expand the new rail line to Kushtia and Meherpur districts.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan presided over the function joining the event from Magura.