Direct train service between Pabna and Dhaka will begin this August on a priority basis, Road, Railways and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam announced on Saturday.
The locomotive for the Dhaka-Pabna route is ready, and some new coaches will arrive next month (July), the minister told journalists after an exchange meeting with government officials and civil society members at the Pabna Circuit House auditorium.
The minister said new train services will be launched on two routes this August. “Direct Dhaka-Pabna train service will be launched first. After that, direct Dhaka-Khulna train service will be launched,” he said.
The minister said discipline would be brought to the transport sector through coordinated initiatives involving owners and workers together. “No particular class will be favoured here; only public interest and public aspirations will get priority,” he said.
He also said an international standard “multi-modal” communication system would become visible in the country very soon.
Regarding the relocation of Kazirhat Ferry Ghat, the minister said preliminary activities have already begun, with the feasibility study and DPP completed.
“Since this is a demand of the people of Pabna, and there is a greater public interest here, the current government is committed to implementing this project in the shortest possible time,” he said.
Pabna Sadar MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Pabna-2 MP Selim Reza Habib, Pabna-4 MP Abu Taleb Mondol, reserved women’s seat MP Advocate Arifa Sultana Ruma, Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam, Police Superintendent Sufi Ullah, and other local administration and political leaders were present.
