The Seven Up and Eight Down mail trains on the Santahar-Dinajpur-Panchagarh route have remained suspended for seven years, leaving thousands of daily commuters in distress.
Originally halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, these long-standing services have not resumed despite the normalization of railway operations nationwide. While intercity and other mail trains are back on track, the authorities have yet to reinstate these two crucial services.
For residents of Gaibandha’s Sadullapur and surrounding areas, these trains were the primary link to Rangpur, Parbatipur, Dinajpur, and Panchagarh. Passengers at Naldanga railway station, including Mintu Mia and Aminul Islam, expressed their frustration, noting they often arrive at the station only to realize the service is still inactive. Many are now forced to take expensive and often risky bus trips to reach the divisional headquarters or the Education Board in Dinajpur.
Local businessmen are also feeling the pinch. Historically, the mail trains provided a low-cost, efficient way to transport goods. Without them, traders must rely on road transport, significantly increasing overhead costs and causing financial losses.
"The closure of these trains has isolated our community from essential services in Rangpur and Dinajpur," said Habizar Rahman, a former member of the Naldanga Union Parishad, calling for an immediate resumption of service.
Humayun Kabir, a local cloth merchant, emphasized that many passengers prefer the safety and comfort of rail over the hazards of the highway. He urged senior railway officials to intervene.
When contacted, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Traffic Superintendent of Bangladesh Railway’s Lalmanirhat Division, confirmed that while the trains remain on the official timetable, they are currently suspended due to a shortage of engines and manpower. He noted that the Dolanchapa Express was introduced as a partial alternative. However, locals pointed out that the Dolanchapa Express does not stop at all stations, leaving smaller communities without a viable transport option.
