One of the most convenient and secure modes of transportation is traveling via train. It is also a great indicator of how developed a country’s transportation system is. Rail transport has been there in Bangladesh for a very long time. The British introduced it in 1862 as a part of their long web of rail routes across the Indian subcontinent. After the partition of British India, the rail lines that fell into the territory of present-day Bangladesh are the foundation of the country’s railway network.
The Longest Train Routes In Bangladesh: An Introduction
Many of you might ask, which are the longest train routes in Bangladesh? All divisions in Bangladesh have access to rail transport except the Barisal Division. So amongst Dhaka, Sylhet, Khulna, Chattogram, and Panchagarh, which destination do you think is the farthest by train? This might come as a surprise, but most of the longest train routes in Bangladesh are covered by freight trains. That is normal though, as a train traveling from CGPY Railway Port in Chattogram to Kurigram on the other side of the nation has to cover a long distance. But whenever we think of trains in Bangladesh, we think about passenger trains. This is why today’s article will solely cover passenger train routes. Let’s delve deeper into some of the longest train routes in Bangladesh and see what awaits us in these picturesque rides.
Ekota/Drutojan/Panchagarh Express (510 Kilometers)
Bangladesh Railway is steeped in more than a hundred years of history. Surprisingly, it is one of the newer trains that travel the longest route. I’m talking about the Panchagarh Express, which was inaugurated on the 25th of May, 2019. This connected the people of Panchagarh to the rail network of Bangladesh. It runs from the capital city of Dhaka to Panchagarh, which is one of the northernmost districts of Bangladesh. This also makes it the longest passenger train route in Bangladesh, spanning a distance of 510 kilometers. Panchagarh Express has 12 bogies. You can travel on the Shovon Chair, AC Chair, AC Seat, or AC Berth classes.
There is another train called Ekota/Drutojan that travels on the same route. Starting its journey in 1968, Ekota express has a storied history of travel through Dhaka and Dinajpur. Before the construction of Bangabandhu Bridge, the train used to stop at Balashi Railway Ferry Ghat on the western bank of Jamuna River and unload passengers. From there, a Bangladesh Railway ferry would carry the passengers to Bahadurabad Railway Ferry Ghat on the eastern bank of the river, after which they went on their way to Dhaka. After the construction of the Bangabandhu Bridge, this route was closed and the train’s route was extended to Panchagarh.
Panchagarh Express Route: Kamalapur – Airport – Parbatipur – Dinajpur – Pirganj – Thakurgaon – Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station (Panchagarh)
Kurigram Express (453 Kilometers)
This train is new as well, starting its journey on the Dhaka – Kurigram route on the 16th of October, 2019. The new coaches were manufactured by PT Inka in Indonesia. Kurigram Express has 14 bogies and can carry more than 600 passengers. The route covers a distance of 453 Kilometers. The train leaves from Kurigram in the morning and reaches Dhaka at 5pm in the evening. Service on this route is closed on Wednesdays.
Kurigram Express Route: Kamalapur – Airport – Madhnagar – Santahar – Joypurhat – Parbatipur – Badarganj – Rangpur – Kaunia – Kurigram
Rangpur Express (447 Kilometers)
Rangpur Express is third on the list of the longest train routes in Bangladesh. This train was inaugurated in 2011, with new bogies in 2019. It runs 6 days a week, being off on Sundays. The 10 hour journey traverses a distance of 447 Kilometers. Rangpur Express has 11 bogies.
Rangpur Express Route: Kamalapur – Airport – Madhnagar – Santahar – Joypurhat – Parbatipur – Badarganj – Rangpur
Rupsha/Simanta Express (446 Kilometers)
Bangladesh is a centralized country, with most of the focus being on its capital, Dhaka. As a result, most train routes travel to and from Dhaka. But on this list, we have two trains, Rupsha Express and Simanta Express, which travel from Khulna to Chilahati in Nilphamari, near the border. These are broad gauge trains, traveling on the storied route from Chilahati to Khulna. The broad gauge Rupsha Express was inaugurated on the 5th of May in 1986. The bogies were changed in 2017.
Rupsha Express Route: Khulna – Noapara – Jessore – Mubarakganj – Darshana – Kotchandpur – Chuadanga – Alamdanga – Poradah – Bheramara – Pakshi – Ishwardi – Natore – Ahsanganj – Santahar – Akkelpur – Joypurhat – Birampur – Fulbari – Parbatipur – Saidpur – Nilphamari – Domar – Chilahati
Paharika/Udayan Express (377.88 Kilometers)
The rail network of Bangladesh is divided into two zones, East Zone and West Zone. And most of the longest train routes in Bangladesh are located in the West Zone. This includes all the routes mentioned above. This is why we have included Paharika Express and Udayan Express as honorable mentions, as they travel on the longest route in the East Zone.
These trains have a rich history, with Paharika Express starting in 1986 and Udayan Express in 1988. This year, they received new bogies. Traveling between Sylhet and Chattogram, these trains are witness to some of the most breathtaking natural beauties that this country has to offer. The route spans a distance of 377 kilometers. Trains are available in both directions in the morning and nighttime.
Paharika Express Route: Chattogram – Feni – Nangalkot – Laksham – Comilla – Kasba – Akhaura – Harashpur – Noapara – Shaistaganj – Sreemangal – Bhanugach – Shamshernagar – Kulaura – Maijgaon – Sylhet
Today’s article listed some of the longest train routes in Bangladesh, explaining them in detail. At Bproperty Blog, we bring you articles on the latest tips and trends in lifestyle. Such as the comprehensive train schedule for Bangladesh Railway and a marvelous video and write-up on the Kamalapur Railway Station.
Disclaimer: Excluding Panchagarh Express and Rupsha Express, all other pictures are not of the mentioned trains and are meant to be decorative
Picture Credits:
Panchagarh Express and Rupsha Express – Jarjis Bin Mahbub
Cover photo and others – Jubayer Ahmed Rafsan
