Dhaka: Two regular trains, ‘Saikat Express’ and ‘Prabal Express’, are set to commence operations on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar route starting February 1. Authorities at Bangladesh Railway reached this decision during a recent meeting in the capital, as confirmed by Kamal Akhtar Hossain, the assistant chief operating superintendent of Eastern Railway, to BSS today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the decision aims to provide a safe and comfortable journey for tourists and passengers traveling to Cox’s Bazar and nearby areas. The Saikat Express (821/824) and Prabal Express (822/823) will operate on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar-Chattogram route. Each train will consist of 16 coaches, accommodating 743 seats, allowing up to 2,972 passengers to travel daily, except on Mondays.
Abu Bakkar Siddique, the assistant chief operating officer of Eastern Railway, informed BSS that while both trains are non-AC, they will offer first-class cabins, first-class chairs, and luxury chairs. The journey from Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar will take approximately four hours, with the trains stopping at major stations along the way. Additionally, food cars will be available on both trains.
Golam Rabbani, the station master of Cox’s Bazar Iconic Railway Station, detailed the schedule: Saikat Express will depart from Chattogram at 6:15 am and arrive in Cox’s Bazar at 9:55 am, while Prabal Express will leave Chattogram at 3:10 pm and reach Cox’s Bazar at 7:00 pm. For the return journey, Prabal Express will depart from Cox’s Bazar at 10:35 am and arrive in Chattogram at 2:15 pm, with Saikat Express leaving Cox’s Bazar at 8:15 pm and reaching Chattogram at 11:50 pm.
Saikat Express will make stops at eight stations, namely Sholoshahar, Janalihat, Patiya, Dohazari, Satkania, Chakaria, Dulhazra, and Ramu. Meanwhile, Prabal Express will halt at ten stations, including Sholoshahar, Gumdandi, Patiya, Dohazari, Satkania, Lohagara, Chakaria, Dulhazra, Islamabad, and Ramu. Both trains will not operate on Mondays.