Dhaka-Benapole direct train service opens

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated 'Benapole Express', an intercity train that will directly ply between capital Dhaka and Benapole.

She flagged off the new train through a videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban.

The Benapole Express, having 896 seats in 12 compartments, will have stopovers in Ishwardi, Jashore and Dhaka Airport stations, reports UNB.

The train will leave Benapole at 11.30am and reach Dhaka at 7:00pm. On the other hand, it will depart Dhaka for Beanpole at 12.30am and reach the destination at 8:00am.

The ticket price for the train has been fixed at Tk 534 for Shovan chair, Tk 1,013 for Snigdha, Tk 1,213 for airconditioned seats each and Tk 1,869 for airconditioned berth. Its coaches have been procured from Indonesia.

People will be able to avail themselves of the train services during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

The train will reduce the existing travel time by one hour and 15 minutes, helping the Bangladesh Railway earn Tk 340 million annually.

From the programme, the prime minister also inaugurated the extension of Dhaka-Rajshahi nonstop intercity 'Bonolata Express' train service to Chapainawabganj.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the service on 25 April.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan and ADB Country Director Manmohan Parkash were also present at Ganobhaban.