Tk 4,000 crore rail line operates only one train

Only one train runs per day, with no regular freight train service in operation. Out of nine stations, three have not even begun operations. Yet, Tk 4,261 crore was spent to construct this rail route. This is the state of the Mongla-Benapole railway line two years after its inauguration.

The project was originally undertaken to connect Mongla Port with the national rail network, making freight transport easier, more cost-effective, and faster. Currently, even the sole passenger train operates on a limited schedule. As a result, a major portion of this heavily funded infrastructure remains unutilized.

The project was inaugurated on November 1, 2023, before construction was fully completed. Commercial train operations began on June 1, 2024. Passenger service started with a single train named the "Mongla Commuter," but no additional trains have been added since, nor have regular freight operations commenced. Because the railway line was built using Indian loan assistance, the debt must be repaid in installments. Officials warn that unless freight operations begin quickly, the line risks becoming a heavy financial burden.

Operating six days a week (except Tuesdays), the number of train runs has not increased. The "Betna Express," which runs on the Khulna-Benapole route, is rebranded and operated as the Mongla Commuter. It leaves Khulna at 6:15 AM for Benapole, then departs Benapole at 9:15 AM as the Mongla Commuter. Reaching Mongla at 12:35 PM, it leaves Mongla again at 1:00 PM, arrives back in Benapole at 4:30 PM, and departs at 5:00 PM as the Betna Express to return to Khulna by 7:30 PM.

According to the commercial department of Bangladesh Railway, 7,30,570 passengers traveled on the Mongla Commuter between June 2024 and January 2026, generating Tk 2,68,82,348 in revenue.

Alongside the railway track, stations were built at Phultala, Arongghata, Mohammadnagar, Katakhali, Chulkati Bazar, Bhaga, Digraj, and Mongla. However, operations at Arongghata, Bhaga, and Digraj have yet to start. Trains currently stop at Phultala, Mohammadnagar, Katakhali, Chulkati Bazar, and Mongla.

A regular commuter, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, said that traveling by bus from Khulna to Mongla costs more and takes about two and a half hours, whereas the train is cheaper and takes only one hour. Many commuters from Bagerhat, Mongla, and Khulna want to use the train for daily travel to Jessore and Benapole, but service availability is inadequate. With only one train operating all day, overcrowding is intense. Furthermore, the train from Mongla reaches Benapole at 4:30 PM, creating anxiety for India-bound travelers who fear missing immigration, which closes at 6:00 PM. Additionally, there is no direct train route between Dhaka and Mongla.

Kudrat-e-Khuda, Secretary of the Civil Society Organization 'SUJON' in Khulna, said that Mongla houses numerous government and private offices, an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), and bank branches. Every morning, employees travel there from Khulna in 10 to 12 buses. If train schedules were aligned with office hours, workers could commute faster and at lower costs. However, this remains unfulfilled due to the lack of additional trains.

He added that agricultural produce and other goods from northern districts like Bogra and Dinajpur are currently exported through Chittagong Port at high costs. If regular freight service were launched, these goods could be exported far more efficiently and cheaply through Mongla Port.

Angshuman Rai Chowdhury, Traffic Inspector at Khulna Railway Station, explained that operating a single station typically requires three station masters, six pointsmen, three booking assistants, a porter, cleaning staff, and security personnel. However, transport operations across the entire route are currently being managed by just 11 deputed staff members. Adding more trains will require significant manpower recruitment.
Hasina Khatun, Divisional Commercial Officer for the Paksey Division of Khulna Railway, said that running additional trains on this route is necessary given riders' demand. A proposal to launch another train has already been submitted to the Ministry of Railways. However, expanding train services and reopening closed stations require adequate manpower. Additional trains can only be added once the required personnel are sanctioned.

Regarding freight services, she noted that 30 trips carrying molasses, sugar cane syrup, and jaggery were transported from Mongla Port to Joypurhat during FY 2025–26. While several meetings were held with port authorities regarding the transport of other goods, they yielded little result. Port authorities require container or cargo trains, which Bangladesh Railway currently lacks, while business interest also remains low.

Ahmed Hossain Masum, who served as Project Director during the construction of the railway line, said: "The primary objective of building this railway line was to ensure faster, cheaper, and easier freight transport to and from Mongla Port, as well as to boost regional trade with India, Nepal, and Bhutan using the port. However, laying the tracks alone is not enough—effective coordination between the port authority and Bangladesh Railway is crucial."

Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mostafa, Chairman of the Mongla Port Authority, said that the port is ready for rail-based freight transport. However, coordinated efforts among importers and relevant stakeholders are required. Container and cargo train services must be launched first, alongside establishing rail link connections inside the Ishwardi and Uttara Export Processing Zones (EPZs). Once implemented, rail transport for fruits, ready-made garments, and other commodities will increase significantly.

Former Project Director Ahmed Hossain Masum added that because the railway line was built with Indian financial assistance, the loan must be repaid. However, he said he was unaware of whether any repayments had been made so far. Liakat Sharif Khan, Divisional Railway Manager of Paksey, was also unable to provide information on this. Efforts to reach various officials, including the Additional Director General (Finance) of Bangladesh Railway, yielded no data regarding loan repayments.