A 79-kilometer rail line from Majhgram to Dhalarchar in Pabna, built at nearly TK 2,000 crore, runs only one train. Despite the significant investment, the lack of direct rail service to Dhaka leaves many residents unsatisfied and facing inconvenience.
 
A rail line stretching from Majhgram in Ishwardi Upazila to Dhalarchar, spanning 79 kilometers, was constructed at a cost of nearly TK 2 thousand crores. Astonishingly, only one train runs on this route. As a result, the majority of the district's residents are not receiving the expected rail service.
 
Additionally, the absence of direct rail connectivity to Dhaka has caused significant inconvenience. To increase revenue from this substantial investment, the residents of Pabna are demanding more trains and the establishment of direct rail communication with Dhaka.
 
According to sources at the Bangladesh Railway's Western Region Pakshi Division office, the project to construct the 79-kilometer rail line from Ishwardi's Majhgram to Dhalarchar via Pabna was approved at an ECNEC meeting on October 5, 2010. Initially, the construction was planned to be completed from June 2010 to June 2015 at an estimated cost of TK 983 crores.
 
However, due to delays in construction, the project's duration and cost were revised multiple times. Eventually, the total expenditure amounted to TK 1,714.73 crores. After completing the construction, the first local train service on the Pabna-Rajshahi route began on July 14, 2018.
 
Subsequently, on January 26, 2020, train operations were extended to the Rajshahi-Dhalarchar route. The primary objective of this rail line construction was to increase railway revenue while establishing connectivity between Pabna and the northern and southern regions of Bangladesh, including the capital, to promote trade and industry.
 
Despite the significant investment, only one train, the 'Dhalarchar Express,' currently operates on this route. Initially, this train ran from Dhalarchar in Pabna to Rajshahi. Since last December, it has been extended to Chapainawabganj. The train operates once a day, six days a week.
 
While the train service has benefited Pabna residents, the operation of only one train has also caused inconvenience. There is no direct rail link to Dhaka. Despite high passenger demand, no additional trains have been introduced. Questions have been raised about how profitable the railway authorities are from this substantial investment.
 
Passengers on this route, Ariful Islam and Probir Das, stated, "The long-standing demand for a railway in Pabna has been fulfilled. But it is unreasonable that it only connects to Rajshahi. We cannot travel directly to Dhaka. We have to travel to another station far away to go to Dhaka, which costs us more time and money."
 
Khayrul Islam and Abdul Latif mentioned, "The railway was built at such a high cost, yet only one train runs. Our dream of having train service has been partially fulfilled, but we are now disappointed. Without additional trains and direct service to Dhaka, the project's goals will not be realized. We want a direct train from Pabna to Dhaka."
 
Abdul Matin Khan, President of the Pabna District branch of the Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon), commented, "This situation is truly disappointing for the people of Pabna. It is unfortunate that only one train runs on a railway built at such a high cost. Establishing rail connectivity between Pabna and the northern and southern regions would benefit everyone and increase government revenue. This is now a timely demand."
 
Shah Sufi Nur Mohammad, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Western Region Pakshi Division, stated, "We have a shortage of coaches. There are no immediate plans to introduce new ones. However, once we receive new coaches in the future, we will increase the number of trains. As for new trains or direct service to Dhaka, this matter falls under the purview of the relevant government department, so we have no comment on it."

END/V7N/SRP/DK/