An inter-city train service between Chandpur and Sylhet has long been a demand for the people of the country’s south and south-western region. Thousands of people from the region travel through Chandpur to visit the holy shrines of Hazrat Shah Jalal and Shar Paran every day. There are also students who study in medical college and university in Sylhet. A large number of tourists also visit the north-eastern district to enjoy its natural beauty. Day in and day out they suffer as road journey is hazardous and time-consuming. Read World's tallest railway bridge pier being built in Manipur as part of Jiribam-Imphal project According to Railway officials, back in 2000 a Laksam-bound commuter train from Chandpur had several coaches attached to it for Sylhet-bound passengers. At Laksham junction, the coaches would join Jalalabad Express train. Passengers could travel to Sylhet in relative comfort and at affordable cost without much hassle. That stopped on September 20, 2000 after Meghna River swallowed a great part of the Chandpur Boro railway station. Though the station was later restored the railway authorities did not resume the train service to Sylhet via Laksham. Also read: India moves to patent the over century-old logos of Darjeeling’s ‘Toy Train’ Students studying in MAG Osmani Medical College and Sylhet University, traders, devotees and tourists endure many difficulties every time they travel to Sylhet. Even tickets to Sylhet are not issued from Chandpur rail station, said several TTEs, including station master Shoaibul Sikder.