BNP Student Wing Protests, Halting Two Trains in Rajbari

Rtv News

Publish : 03 Nov 2024, 03:41 PM

Photo: Collected

Leaders and activists of the BNP's student wing (Chhatra Dal) staged a protest, blocking the railway tracks and halting trains to demand that the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains continue operating via Rajbari station, instead of the proposed route change.

On Sunday morning (November 3), protesters stopped the Dhaka-bound “Madhumati Express” from Rajshahi and the Khulna-bound “Sundarban Express” from Dhaka at Rajbari Railway Station, chanting slogans to express their demands.

The activists circled the entire railway station in a protest procession, led by district Chhatra Dal convener Ariful Islam Roman. After blocking the “Madhumati Express” for 35 minutes and the “Sundarban Express” for 20 minutes, the protesters cleared the tracks at noon, allowing both trains to resume their journeys.

Protesters stated that they had learned the Dhaka-bound Sundarban Express from Khulna and the Benapole Express from Benapole would change their route from November 15, bypassing Rajbari and depriving residents of Rajbari and nearby districts of rail services. As a result, they are demanding that the route change be canceled and that both trains continue to operate via Rajbari.

They also urged authorities to introduce additional trains on this route rather than discontinuing the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains. The protesters warned of stronger action if their demands are not met.

Rajbari Railway Station Master Tanmoy Kumar Dutta mentioned that no official directive regarding the route change for the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains had been received from the Ministry of Railways, either in writing or verbally.

He further explained that the Dhaka-bound “Madhumati Express” from Rajshahi arrived at Rajbari station at 11:10 a.m. and was scheduled to depart after a 15-minute stop at 11:25 a.m. However, due to the protest, the train was delayed by 35 minutes and departed for Dhaka at noon. Similarly, the Khulna-bound “Sundarban Express” from Dhaka arrived at 11:10 a.m. with a scheduled departure at 11:40 a.m. but was delayed by 20 minutes and left at noon due to the protest.

Notably, the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains, which began service in November 2023, offer a convenient route for residents of Rajbari and neighboring districts to reach Dhaka quickly.

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