DHAKA — The whistle that echoed across the Padma at dawn today was more than the sound of a train. For millions in Barishal, Khulna and Gopalganj, it was the sound of a decades-old promise finally kept. The 172-kilometre Dhaka–Jashore rail link via the Padma Bridge opened for commercial operation this morning, with the inaugural 'Padma Express' leaving Kamalapur at 7:00am sharp to jubilant crowds.
Railway officials said eight pairs of trains will run daily in the first phase, including two intercity expresses that will cover the distance in just over three hours — down from eight gruelling hours by road and ferry in the pre-bridge era. Fares start at Tk 350 for Shovon Chair and Tk 720 for AC berths.
'My father crossed the Padma on a launch for 40 years to sell jute in Dhaka. Today I crossed it in 40 minutes, sipping tea,' said Abdul Malek, 58, a trader from Faridpur travelling with his grandson on the first train. His story mirrors that of thousands who thronged Bhanga, Kashiani and Jashore stations waving red-and-green flags.
Economists say the impact will be profound. The link connects Mongla — the country's second seaport — directly to Dhaka by rail for the first time, slashing freight costs for garments, frozen shrimp and jute. The Bangladesh Bank estimates southern districts could see private investment rise by 35% within two years.
The project, built at a cost of Tk 39,246 crore with Chinese credit and government funds, faced floods, the pandemic and the engineering challenge of building on the mighty Padma's shifting silt. 'This bridge taught us that Bangladesh can do the impossible,' the Railway Adviser said at the opening ceremony, as schoolchildren sang the national anthem on the platform.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Tanvir Rahman • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
