3 Intercity Trains: Cancellation of Tangail, Mirzapur stoppages draws flak

The decision of cancelling stoppage of three intercity trains at Tangail and Mirzapur stations has produced an outpouring of protests on the social media.

According to a Bangladesh Railway decision, the revised schedule for trains would be effective from January 10, said Sohel Khan, the Tangail station master.

As per the new schedule, intercity trains Sundarban Express and Chitra Express -- operating between Dhaka and Khulna -- will no longer stop at Tangail and Mirzapur stations.

The third train that will not stop at Tangail station is Nilsagar Express, between Dhaka and Chilahati, Sohel said, adding that an instruction in this regard has already been received at the station.

If the decision is implemented, Tangail residents travelling to Ishwardi, Jessore, Kushtia, Khulna, Saidpur, Nilphamari and Chilahati towns will need to board buses run by private operators.

Residents of greater Khulna region who are studying at Tangail’s two major educational institutions -- Sheikh Hasina Medical College in Tangail Sadar and Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Santosh -- will also feel the impact of the revised schedule.

Besides, around 40,000 employees of different factories in Mirzapur’s Gorai industrial area as well as students and guardians of Bharateshwari Homes, Mirzapur Cadet College and Kumudini Medical College will encounter sufferings due to the new schedule.  

Many in their posts on various social media outlets alleged that the decision was made to serve the purpose of different vested interest groups.

They demanded the authorities withdraw the decision immediately or else, they would wage a befitting movement including creating obstruction to train movements in  Tangail.   

Drawing attention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a number of others requested her to intervene and reverse the decision for the sake of nearly 40 lakh inhabitants of Tangail district. 

Tangail resident and employee of a private firm Rashed Ibne Kurban said on one hand the prime minister is asking all to reduce pressure on the capital city, while on the other, the railway is making a decision that will make it impossible for students and job holders from surrounding districts to commute to and from the capital.

If unable to commute, they will ultimately be forced to reside in Dhaka for their livelihoods and studies, he also said.   

On January 6, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan during a news briefing said a revised schedule of 35 intercity trains would take effect on January 10.