Passenger train services have resumed in Bangladesh after being suspended for several weeks due to the violence associated with the student movement and the fall of the Awami League government. On Tuesday morning, short-distance, commuter, and mail trains began operating again, though passenger numbers remained relatively low.
Freight train services had already recommenced on Monday. Bangladesh Railway has announced that all intercity trains will resume passenger services starting Thursday.
Railways Secretary Humayun Kabir held discussions with the Chief Adviser regarding the resumption of train services. The Chief Adviser stated, “If there is no issue with the railway, train operations can begin.”
Following this, senior railway officials convened and decided to gradually restart train services. Md Anwar Hossain, Station Master of Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station, reported that trains such as the Balaka, Dewanganj Commuter, Narayanganj Commuter, Mahua Express, Turag, Karnaphuli, and Titas Commuter departed on schedule Tuesday morning.
Train services were initially halted on July 18 due to the violence that erupted during the quota reform protests. While some local, commuter, and mail trains resumed short-distance routes, along with certain freight and fuel trains, full services were suspended again on August 3 following the announcement of a nationwide non-cooperation movement by protesters.
After several stops and starts, train services resumed on August 1 but were halted again just two days later. Now, with the situation seemingly under control, Bangladesh Railway is cautiously reintroducing services.
