All train services to be suspended from this evening

All train services will be suspended from this evening in a bid to prevent spread of coronavirus, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said.

"We are going to implement the government decision to halt operation of all public transport. So, we are suspending operation of all train service from today till further notice," he said at a press conference at Rail Bhaban today.

However, operation of freight trains would remain as is, he said.

The minister said although they are suspending rail operation from today, it may take several hours as the trains that have left their stations [say for Panchagarh] would return there from Dhaka, he said.

Railways Ministry Senior Secretary Mofazzel Hossain and Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Shamsuzzaman were present at the emergency press briefing.