Once a vital rail link connecting Jamalpur with Dhaka and other parts of the country, the historic route is now struggling with chronic delays, ageing coaches and overcrowded trains due to years of neglect.
Passengers say schedule disruptions, poor onboard facilities and a shortage of coaches have turned daily journeys into a painful experience, despite strong demand for rail services on the route.
Jamalpur was connected to Dhaka by rail in 1894. The network expanded to Jagannathganj in 1899 and Bahadurabad Ghat in 1912, turning the area into an important railway junction. However, the route gradually lost its prominence after the opening of the Jamuna Bridge in 1998.
Currently, 13 pairs of intercity, mail and local trains operate on the route. But passengers complain that delays have become routine, while many coaches lack basic facilities such as working fans, lights and proper seating.
“Passengers have no idea when trains will arrive. I waited until 12:15pm for the 10:56am commuter train, but there was still no update on the Tista Express,” said passenger Pranto Rajbhar.
Another passenger, Abdul Awal, said the condition inside the coaches was unacceptable. “There are no fans or lights, seats are damaged and there is a bad smell inside. Trains are also not running on time,” he said.
Passengers also demanded an increase in the number of coaches to reduce overcrowding. “Many people have to travel standing because of excessive crowds,” said Swarna Khan, a passenger.
Local residents have urged authorities to take immediate steps to improve services. Advocate Yusuf Ali, vice-president of Sujan, said new engines and coaches, along with rail line repairs, were needed to restore the route.
Jamalpur Town Railway Junction Station Master Md Mahmudul Hasan said passenger complaints had been forwarded to higher authorities. “Necessary steps are being taken to improve train services, and we hope the problems will be resolved soon,” he said.
Executive Engineer of Jamalpur Railway Atikul Islam said plans were underway to improve connectivity, including a double-line project from Joydebpur to Jamalpur via Mymensingh and a meter-gauge line from Jamalpur to the eastern side of the Jamuna Bridge through Sarishabari.
Dhaka Divisional Railway Manager ABM Kamruzzaman said the project to improve the Joydebpur-Jamalpur route was ongoing, while the double-line plan would be implemented later.
“New coaches have not arrived in the last two years. We are trying to repair and maintain the existing ones,” he said.
