train
Metro rail increases trips, commuters elated
Daily commuters including service holders and traders have expressed joy as the Metro Rail authorities are operating trains every 8 minutes during peak hours from Saturday (February 17, 2024).
The number of metro rail trips increased to 26 and as a result a total of 178 trains will run each day instead of 152, said MN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).
About the new timings, Siddque said, three trains will run from Uttara between 7:10 am to 7:30 am and train will run from 7:31am to 11:48 am every 8 minutes during peak hours. After that, train will run from 11:49am to 3:12pm (off peak hours) every12 minutes as before and every 8 minutes from 3:13pm to 8:00 pm (peak hours), he added.
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Nazrul Isalm, a regular commuter of the Metro Rail at Mirpur-11 Rail Station, said the pressure of commuters is comparatively less due to the new schedule and it’s a relief for people.
Hossain, another commuter at the same station, said “It will be better if the timing can be reduced to 3.5 minutes.”
Except Friday, now Metro Rail will run from Uttara-Motijheel from 7:10 am to 8:40 pm while the MRT and Rapid Pass users can travel by metro rail that leaves Motijheel station at 8 pm.
At present, the trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 12 minutes during off-peak hours. The new timings are applicable for peak hours only, said MN Siddique.
He said that earlier the number of trains' trips were 152 every day, now it has been increased to 178.
Siddique said that currently metro trains carry about 2.70 lakh passengers on an average every day.
Read: Metro Rail to run after every 8 minutes during peak hours from Saturday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the first metro rail in Dhaka on December 28, 2022. At that time the metro train was running from Uttara to Agargaon. Later the prime minister inaugurated the Agargaon to Motijheel section of the Metro Rail on November 4 last year. The next day, on November 5, metro rail service started from Uttara to Motijheel.
2 killed as train hits human hauler in Rajshahi
Two people were killed when a train hit an engine-run human hauler at a level crossing at Mohanpur in Paba upazila of Rajshahi district on Monday.
The deceased were identified as Mofazzal Hossain, 35, a driver of the human hauler and his helper Habibur Rahman Habib, 32 of the upazila.
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Khairul Islam, in-charge of Rajshahi University Fire Service Station, said the accident occurred around 4 pm when the Dhaka-bound ‘Padma Express’ hit the firewood-laden human hauler, leaving two people dead on the spot.
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The firewood was taken to a brick kiln, he said.
On information, a team of Fire WService recovered the bodies and sent those to the local hospital morgue for autopsy.
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Surge in fatalities at unauthorized rail crossing in Feni: 8 dead in 4 months
In Feni, a concerning rise in accidents at rail tracks, especially at unauthorized level crossings, has led to eight fatalities and numerous injuries over the past four months. These incidents, often resulting from a combination of unauthorized crossings, gateman negligence, and the public's lack of awareness, underscore the urgent need for improved railway safety measures.
Swapna Rani Debi, a 42-year-old land deed writer, tragically lost her life under a train while navigating the level crossing at Shahdadpur, highlighting the grave risks associated with these crossings. The Feni railway sector, stretching 27 kms from Sashardi to Muhuriganj, comprises 22 authorized and 12 unauthorized crossings, with a significant concentration of the latter at Muhuriganj.
Riton Chakma, deputy assistant engineer of Railway’s East region, said, “Roads are being built over the level crossing and six unauthorized level-crossings are in Muhuriganj point alone while six others are in Sashardi, Dewanganj and Fazilpur points.”
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Despite efforts to close these unauthorized paths, locals continue to create new routes, often leading to disastrous outcomes.
Feni Barahipur level crossing gateman, Jibon, noted that despite lowering gates upon receiving signals, impatience and reckless attempts to cross the tracks contribute significantly to the accidents.
Feni Rail Station Master Md Harun attributes the proliferation of unauthorized crossings to residential developments along the railway, exacerbating the risk of trackside fatalities.
In addition to Swapna Rani Debi, the past four months have seen the deaths of Farida Yeasmin, Md Rubel, Md Sharif, and Shahidul Islam on the Dhaka-Chattogram rail track in Feni, with three other victims remaining unidentified.
The issue was starkly highlighted on October 11, 2022, when a train collided with a bus at the Fatehpur level crossing on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, resulting in four deaths.
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The Railway Division reports that Feni hosts 34 level crossings, with 22 authorized and managed by 56 gatemen. Deputy Assistant Engineer Riton Chakma of the Railway East region has pledged phased initiatives to secure the 12 unauthorized crossings.
Shahadat Hossain, general secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), identifies the main causes of the increased fatalities as unauthorized construction of crossings, lack of public and driver awareness, and gateman negligence. This alarming trend calls for immediate action to enhance safety and awareness at rail crossings.
Timing of train burning just a day before election shows an absolute intention to hinder democratic process: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said they will leave no stone unturned to identify the perpetrators of the heinous crime of setting a train on fire.
"Each and every one will be brought to justice and exemplary punishment shall be rendered to the culprit(s), according to the law of the land," he said in a statement today.
Momen said this blatant attempt to instill fear and panic among the masses is an affront to the spirit of the democracy and the enthusiastic participation of Bangladeshi citizens in the upcoming election.
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"This act of setting a train on fire, with people burning inside is characteristic of the pattern of violence that we have witnessed before as well. This has shocked the conscience of our whole society — and indeed — the whole world," he said.
When people of Bangladesh are eagerly preparing for a festive national election, a horrifying act of arson took place on the evening of January 5, 2024, when the Benapole Express train was intentionally set on fire by miscreants, Momen observed.
This deliberate and heinous act, which occurred at approximately 9 pm around Gopibag Kacha Bazar area when the train was on its way to Kamalapur Railway Station, has resulted in the deaths of four people including two children and scores were injured, he said.
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“This reprehensible incident, undoubtedly orchestrated by those with malicious intent, strikes at the very heart of our democratic values,” Momen said.
"The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election scheduled for January 7, 2024, shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety and security of the democratic processes of the country," he said.
Momen said it is an affront to democracy, an attack on the democratic process, and a grave violation of the rights of citizens.
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"This deliberate act of setting a train on fire, where innocent passengers were subjected to unimaginable horror and forced to endure the unforgivable sight of fellow humans being burned alive, is an act of absolute abomination," the foreign minister said.
Attempt to set fire to rail track: BNP leader arrested in Dinajpur
Police today arrested a local leader of BNP from Birampur upazila of Dinajpur district in connection with a case filed over attempt to set fire to a rail track.
The arrestee was identified as Haidar Ali, joint secretary of Birampur unit of BNP.
Subrata Kumar, officer-in-charge of Birampur Police Station, said police arrested Haider from the upazila in the morning.
Earlier, a case was filed against eight identified people and several unidentified people in connection with the attempt to set fire to a rail track last night.
Read: Rail track bolts stolen from Kurigram-Rangpur railway line
Haidar was the prime accused in the case. He was handed over to Railway Police after primary interrogation.
“Police are trying to arrest the other accused in the case,” said the OC.
ATM Nurul Islam, in-charge of Parbatipur Railway Station, said miscreants are trying to destroy lives and property through sabotage activities on railways but their attempt was foiled due to strict surveillance by police.
Last night, law enforcers foiled miscreants’ attempt to set fire to a rail track in Birampur upazila of Dinajpur district.
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Mia Ranjan, sub-inspector of Birampur Police Station, said a group of people set fire to the slipper of rail tracks near No 2 Litchi Bagan in Birampur municipality area between 8 pm and 9 pm.
Noticing smoke, police and Ansar members rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze.
They also managed to halt the Khulna-bound Shimanto Express train, which was scheduled to go through the area, a few yards away, saving lives and property.
Police foil miscreants’ attempt to derail train in Narayanganj ahead of blockade
Police foiled a sabotage attempt of miscreants to derail a train in Fatullah on Dhaka-Narayanganj route, ahead of the latest 48-hour road-rail-waterway blockade across Bangladesh called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties.
Mokhlesur Rahman, sub-inspector of Narayanganj Government Railway Police, said miscreants attached a heavy iron plate to the rail line at Kotolerbagh in an attempt to derail the train.
Locals first noticed it and informed police through the national emergency number 999.
562 arrested by RAB on charges of sabotage since Oct 28
On information, police rushed to the spot and removed the iron plate from the rail line.
Police are trying to arrest those involved in the sabotage attempt, he said.
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Case filed over burning train compartments in Jamalpur
A case has been filed over burning three carriages of the intercity Jamuna Express train near Sarishabari railway station in Jamalpur early today (November 19, 2023).
Unidentified miscreants set three carriages (Ka, Kha and Ga) of the train on fire at around 1:12 am today after the Tarakandi-bound intercity train left Jamalpur’s Sarishabari railway station.
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A fire service team led by Senior Station Officer of Sarishabari Fire Service, Ruhul Amin, rushed to the spot and doused the fire around 2:30 am.
At least 4-5 passengers were injured during the incident as they tried to get out of the carriages.
At least two of them, including a woman, is currently undergoing treatment at Sarishabari Upazila Health Complex.
Meanwhile, a case has been filed against 15-20 unidentified people in relation to the incident.
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Abdus Salam, assistant stationmaster of Sarishabari railway station, filed the case with Jamalpur Railway Police Station around 7 am today.
Confirming the news, Jamalpur Railway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Gulzar Hossain said efforts were underway to nab those involved in the incident.
Also read: BNP-Jamaat’s hartal: 460 RAB teams deployed across the country
In another first, PM Hasina opens Ctg-Cox's Bazar railway line
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (November 11, 2023) inaugurated the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar dual-gauge single railway line setting yet another milestone in the country's communication network.
The southern region wore a festive look as she unveiled the new rail route (from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar) for train movement at a ceremony at newly constructed Cox’s Bazar Railway Station.
The premier flagged off a train and then travelled by it from Cox’s Bazar Railway Station to Ramu Railway Station.
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She bought her own ticket from the counter of the railway station. She waved the green flag before boarding the train.
She also blew the whistle signalling the start of the train.
Addressing the inauguration programme, the prime minister said, “Today Cox's Bazar has been linked to the country's railway network. I am really very delighted for being able to attend the inaugural ceremony physically, " she said.
"I have kept my promise by inaugurating the railway. This was a longstanding demand of this region. This is a day of feeling proud," she said.
Read: Railway Minister to inspect Dohazari-Cox's Bazar line before inauguration
Talking to reporters during the train ride, the prime minister said that this train link will contribute a lot to country’s GDP and economy.
“Transportation of goods, people and tourists will be expedited resulting in increase the GDP and more vibrant economy,” she said.
She mentioned that Cox’s Bazar has the longest sandy sea beach in the world.
“But we could not build this tourist spot up to the mark. We have to make sure that tourists can come here comfortably,” she said.
PM Hasina said that apart of tourists conveyance the trade and commerce of this area have been given importance.
“We are building a deep seaport, power station, building an economic zone here,” she said.
She also mentioned that Bangladesh will be linked with trans Asian railway by this rail line.
“This rail line will go to Ghumdhum from Ramu, later from Ghumdhum it will be linked with South and South East countries.”
Read: Chinese-built railway opens via Bangladesh's Padma Bridge
On her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was received by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan and local MPs.
Local artists greeted her with traditional songs and dances.
The railways minister presided over the programme.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Ginting and Railways Ministry secretary Md Humayun Kabir also spoke at the event.
Hasina and Modi jointly inaugurate rail connectivity and power projects
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly opened the newly constructed Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Railway Link Project, setting a significant milestone in cross-border connectivity.
The important rail connection would contribute to boosting trade, business and tourism between the two neighbouring countries.The 12.24-km rail connection has linked Gangasagar Railway Station at Akhaura in Brahmanbaria to Nischintapur Railway Station at Agartala in India, connecting the northeastern region of India and Bangladesh.
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The railway link, with 6.78 km in Bangladesh’s part, was constructed under a joint venture of Bangladesh and India. The Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) railway line construction started in July 2018.
The two prime ministers unveiled the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, joining an event from Ganabhaban in Dhaka and New Delhi through a virtual platform.
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The two PMs also inaugurated two other Indian-aided projects --Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Construction Project and Unit-2 of Rampal Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat.
The 65-km railway from Khulna to Mongla port in Bagerhat would streamline goods transportation to the port. This railway will help transport Mongla port goods affordably within the country and support trade with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, contributing to regional economic growth. The Khulna-Mongla railway project began in September 2016.
The second unit of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant Rampal would add 660 megawatt electricity to the national grid.
The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 and the 65-kilometre Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link have been implemented under the Indian LoC (Line of Credit) while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link with Indian grants.
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The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, known as Rampal thermal power plant, with a total capacity of 1,320 MW in two units was implemented under a joint venture of the two neighbouring countries.
Khulna-Mongla rail line to be inaugurated on Nov 1
The railway network of Bangladesh is set to see a major development next month, as the newly-constructed Khulna-Mongla track will be inaugurated on November 1.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate this railway line virtually, Ahmed Hossain Masum, chief engineer of the project, told media.
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Before the official opening, a trial train will go from Khulna’s Phultala to Mongla this afternoon, he added.
Some final works will be completed soon, said the chief engineer.
Rafiqul Haque, assistant engineer of the project said, local people living on both sides of the rail line were informed on Sunday about the trial train movement today (October 30, 2023).
Read: Chinese-built railway opens via Bangladesh's Padma Bridge
The project was approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on December 21, 2010. Work began in November, 2016.