Train service resumes after 15-year gap

Sirajganj Express, an intercity train on Sirajganj-Dhaka route, saw its inauguration yesterday, much to the delight of the local people. PHOTO: STAR

After a hiatus of nearly 15 years, a direct train service between Sirajganj district headquarters and Dhaka resumed yesterday as part of a pledge from the prime minister.
Railways Minister Muzibul Haque inaugurated the train service at a programme at Sirajganj Bazar Station around 12:30 pm.
From now on, an inter-city train, Sirajganj Express, will leave Sirajganj Bazar Station at 10:45 am and reach Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka at 3:00 pm, said railway officials.
The same train will leave Kamalapur at 4:00 pm and reach Sirajganj Bazar Station at 9:00 pm.
Railway sources said Sirajganj district was once famous for having five railway stations in its town.
But now, none of the stations exists as the district's rail link had been connected with the Bangabandhu Bridge, 10 km off Sirajganj town, in 1998.
Since then, town dwellers had been deprived of direct train services with Dhaka.
For restoration of train services, thousands of people had staged demonstrations and observed token hunger strike under the banner of Sirajganj Swartho Rakkha Sangram Committee.
Addressing a rally at Sirajganj College field on April 9, 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had assured people of resuming the train service between Sirajganj town and Dhaka.
At yesterday's train service inauguration programme, the railways minister said “The prime minister had pledged to resume the train service, and it has been named Sirajganj Express, honouring the people's demand.”
Chaired by Abul Kalam Azad, secretary to the railways ministry, the programme was addressed, among others, by Director General of Bangladesh Railways Abu Taher.