Panchagarh:Bangladesh Railway Director General Md. Afzal Hossain announced that the potential for a direct train service between Panchagarh and Cox's Bazar will be evaluated following the conversion of all railway lines in the country to broad gauge.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the DG referred to the proposed rail connectivity as a long-term plan, emphasizing that its feasibility would be assessed post-conversion, factoring in passenger demand and potential ridership. The announcement was made during his visit to Panchagarh Railway Station, where he arrived by train from Dhaka to inspect various facilities and operational activities.
He further mentioned that railway authorities might consider extending the rail line to Banglabandha Land Port if a bilateral agreement with India is reached. However, the project is currently on hold due to uncertainties regarding regional connectivity benefits, as there is no existing railway connection on the Indian side beyond Banglabandha. The DG highlighted that while domestic connectivity needs might be served, the main objective of establishing regional rail connectivity would remain unmet without a link to India's railway network.
Additionally, the DG revealed an immediate plan to launch a new train from Panchagarh. Eighteen coaches have already been received, with an expected 200 more arriving in stages. These will be used for new train services and to replace older coaches gradually.
On the development front, Afzal Hossain conducted an inspection aimed at evaluating Panchagarh Railway Station's current loading and unloading capacity, as well as identifying any need for additional facilities. He noted that railway infrastructure would be scaled in accordance with demand and land availability, with possible expansions of platforms and tracks to accommodate more coaches. The inspection forms part of an overall assessment of the station's capacity and future infrastructure needs.