A new train service, Mahanagar Express, is set to launch from Monday to make travel from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar easier and more comfortable.
Currently operating exclusively on Chattogram-Dhaka route, the train’s itinerary has now been extended up to Cox’s Bazar.
With the introduction of this service, passengers from intermediate stations including Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, and Feni will be able to travel directly to Cox’s Bazar without changing trains.
According to Bangladesh Railway sources, Mahanagar Express on Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka route will operate according to a newly fixed route and timetable.
The train will depart from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Station daily at 8:30pm, arrive in Chattogram at 2:40am, and reach Cox’s Bazar Iconic Station at 6am the following day.
On the return journey, it will leave Cox’s Bazar every day at 9am, make a stoppage in Chattogram at 12:10pm, and reach Dhaka at 6:30pm.
However, the service will remain closed every Sunday on its weekly holiday.
Sources said the train will comprise 16 coaches, with its total seat capacity increased from 700 to 736.
Currently, two train services, Cox’s Bazar Express and Parjatak Express, are operational on Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka route.
Unlike these two non-stop services, which only halt at Chattogram and Shah Amanat International Airport stations, Mahanagar Express will make at least 14 stoppages on Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka route. Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar Express and Parjatak Express will continue their regular runs on this route as before.
The train departing from Dhaka will stop at Airport, Narsingdi, Bhairab Bazar, Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, Kasba, Cumilla, Laksam, Nangalkot, and Feni stations.
However, on this newly extended route, its stoppage at Kumira station in Sitakunda has been cancelled.
Bangladesh Railway authorities have fixed the fares based on seat category and route.
On this route, the minimum fare for a Shovon Chair seat is Tk685, while the maximum fare for the AC category is Tk1,570.
For the Cox’s Bazar-Chattogram segment, the minimum fare is set at Tk240 and the maximum fare at Tk547.
In accordance with Bangladesh Railway regulations, tickets can be purchased online via the Rail Seba App and website, as well as directly from railway station counters.
Ticket sales for journeys from Dhaka on 26 October have already commenced, and booking is open for return trips from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka on 27 October.
