Bangladesh Railway is preparing to introduce another intercity train service on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route by extending the existing Mahanagar Express, which currently operates between Dhaka and Chattogram.
If preparations are completed as planned, the train could begin operating on the extended route in the first week of October.
Railway officials said demand for train travel to Cox’s Bazar has been increasing steadily. Against this backdrop, authorities are working to increase the number of trains operating between Dhaka, Chattogram and the popular tourist destination.
Currently, two pairs of intercity trains operate on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route, while another two pairs run between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.
Under a proposed timetable, Mahanagar Express could leave Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka at around 8:30pm and reach Cox’s Bazar at approximately 6am the following morning. The return service is proposed to depart Cox’s Bazar for Dhaka at 9am.
The journey in each direction could take around nine and a half hours.
At present, Mahanagar Express departs Kamalapur at 9:20pm for Chattogram. It makes stops at several stations, including Dhaka Airport, Narsingdi, Bhairab Bazar, Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, Kasba, Cumilla, Laksham, Nangalkot, Feni and Kumira.
If the route is extended to Cox’s Bazar, passengers from these areas will also have the opportunity to travel directly to the coastal tourist city by train.
Before finalising the extension, however, Bangladesh Railway is reviewing cleaning and maintenance arrangements in Cox’s Bazar, along with potential operational challenges associated with running the train on the extended route.
Sujit Biswas, chief commercial manager of Bangladesh Railway's eastern zone, said there was significant passenger demand for the Cox’s Bazar route.
“We are preparing to operate Mahanagar Express up to Cox’s Bazar in response to the strong passenger demand,” he said. “This will allow passengers to travel to the tourist city more comfortably and safely. At the same time, railway revenue is expected to increase.”
