Starting in July, Chuadanga residents will benefit from a direct train service to Dhaka, reducing travel time to just five hours. This new service on the Dhaka-Darshana route will utilize the Padma Bridge, enhancing connectivity and convenience for commuters.
The Bangladesh Railway’s Western region announced two daily trains on this route. The first train will leave Darshana at 7am, arriving in Dhaka by noon, and return from Dhaka at 1pm, reaching Darshana by 4pm. The second train will operate from 4:30pm to 9:40pm and from 11:55pm to 5am the next morning.
Additionally, three trains — Chitra, Benapole, and Sundarban Express — will run from Jashore’s Rupdia or Padmabila to Dhaka via Kushtia, Mobarakganj, and Kotchandpur through the Padma Bridge. Currently, Bangladesh Railway offers local, mail, commuter, and intercity trains with fares ranging from Tk0.39 per km for local trains to Tk1.95 per km for air-conditioned intercity trains.
Abdullah Al Mamun, a Dhaka-bound passenger from Chuadanga, expressed optimism about the new service: “These trains will be beneficial for us, offering more ticket availability and shorter travel times to Dhaka.”
However, local businesses have mixed feelings. A hotel owner near Chuadanga station worried about decreased business, while van puller Karim Mia feared a loss of passengers and income. Conversely, advocate Abu Sayeed from Darshana welcomed the convenience, noting it will enable daily commutes to and from Dhaka.
A ticket checker, speaking anonymously, praised the railway’s master plan, highlighting the improved ease of travel for passengers at the Darshana checkpost. Mintu Kumar Roy, booking assistant at Darshana, confirmed the launch of the master plan in July, citing significant benefits. Mizanur Rahman, station master of Chuadanga, added that a new schedule will be implemented as three trains on this route will now travel to Dhaka via Jessore.
