The “Mongla Commuter” train commenced its first journey from Benapole to Mongla at 10am on Saturday, marking a significant development in Bangladesh’s rail connectivity. This 138km railway links Benapole, a major land port, to the Mongla seaport.
Passenger Jahangir Alam expressed his excitement: “The demand for a train connection on the Benapole-Mongla route has been longstanding. I’m thrilled to travel to Mongla from Benapole today.”
Benapole Station Master Saiduzzaman detailed the schedule: “The Betna Express used to run the Khulna-Benapole route twice daily. Now, the train leaves Benapole at 10am, reaches Mongla at 12:30pm via Mohammadnagar in Khulna, and returns to Benapole by 4:30pm. It then departs at 5pm, reaching Khulna at 7:30pm. Except for Tuesdays, the train will follow this schedule daily.”
The Betna Express will continue from Khulna to Benapole via Jessore and extend to Mongla as the Mongla Commuter. It will stop at Mohammadnagar, Katakhali, and Chulkati Bazar railway stations en route. The train will depart Mongla at 1pm and return to Benapole by 4:30pm.
Initiated in 2010, the Khulna-Mongla railway project was approved by the National Economic Council Executive Committee (Ecnec). The project, implemented in three phases, includes an 86.87km track with a 5.13km bridge over the Rupsa River. Initially estimated at Tk1,721 crore, the project’s final cost reached Tk4,260.88 crore, with completion expected by March 31, 2024.
Mongla, established on December 1, 1950, as Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport, is located at the confluence of the Pasur and Mongla rivers, 48km south of Khulna city in Bagerhat district. The new rail service fulfills a long-held aspiration, facilitating quicker and cost-effective goods transportation through Mongla Port and significantly improving regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the railway line virtually on November 1, 2023, following a successful trial run on October 30, 2023. This marks the first rail connection to Mongla in 73 years.
