PM flags off new train on Dhaka-Panchagarh route

The train should complete its 593-kilometre journey in 10 hours

A new train on the Dhaka-Panchagarh route has begun its maiden journey.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina flagged off the Panchagarh Express train service through a videoconference call, from her official residence Ganabhaban, on Saturday.

Panchagarh Express set out from Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station in Sadar Upazila. 

The train should complete its 593-kilometrejourney in 10 hours. It will leave Panchagarh at 12:15pm and reach Dhaka at 10:35pm. From there, it will leave at 12:10 am and reach Panchagarh at 9:40am.

On its way, the train will stop at: Ruhiya, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Parbotipur, and Dhaka's Airport Railway stations.

Thirty percent of the train's seats will be allocated for Panchagarh, 30% for Dinajpur, 25% for Thakurgaon, and 15% for Parbotipur. 

Railways Minister M Nurul Islam Sujan spoke at the event, from Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station in Panchagarh, through the videoconference call.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Agriculture Minister Dr Abrur Razzaque and Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Rina P Soemarno were also present at the programme at Ganabhaban.