'Abhijatri Commuter' Train Launched on Dhaka-Gopalganj Route via Padma Bridge

DHAKA, August 10, Monday: A new pair of commuter trains named 'Abhijatri Commuter' has officially commenced operations on the Dhaka-Gopalganj-Dhaka route via the iconic Padma Bridge.

Covering a distance of 148 kilometers, the train will make 7 intermediate stoppages: Keraniganj, Srinagar, Mawa, Bhanga Junction, Nagarkanda, Maheshpur, and Kashiani Junction. The train service will remain closed on Saturdays as a weekly holiday.

Sheikh Robiul Alam, Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping, and Railways, officially inaugurated the train service at Dhaka Railway Station (Komlapur) today (August 10) at 3:30 PM.

Habibur Rashid, Minister of State for the Road Transport and Highways Division and the Ministry of Railways, Md. Fahimul Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, and Md. Afzal Hossain, Director General of Bangladesh Railway, along with senior officials, attended the inauguration ceremony.

Demonstrating effective resource management within the first 180 days of the current administration, the service aims to expand safe, affordable, and eco-friendly rail connectivity. The daily service allows office goers, students, and traders from Gopalganj and neighboring areas to commute seamlessly to Dhaka and return home the same day. This initiative is expected to reduce pressure on Dhaka's housing, traffic, and civic amenities while facilitating the low-cost transport of agricultural produce to capital markets.

According to Bangladesh Railway schedule, Train No. 135 (Abhijatri Commuter) departs Dhaka at 3:30 PM and reaches Gopalganj at 6:45 PM. Conversely, Train No. 136 departs Gopalganj at 7:15 AM and arrives in Dhaka at 10:25 AM. The 8-coach train accommodates a total of 630 passengers.

Members of Parliament Md. Salimuzzaman Mollya (Gopalganj-1), Dr. K M Babar (Gopalganj-2), and S M Jilani (Gopalganj-3) traveled on the train's inaugural trip alongside regular passengers bound for Gopalganj.

//DBTech/RKS/SME//