PANCHAGARH: Direct train service on the country’s longest rail route Panchagarh-Dhaka was opened Saturday (May 25).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched ‘Panchgarh Express’ train through a videoconference from her state residence Ganabhaban, amid formal arrangement, around 1pm.

In the maiden trip, the intercity train left Panchagarh for Dhaka at 1:30pm.

Besides, Panchagarh Rail Station was renamed as Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Railway Station-Panchagarh.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan inaugurated the nameplate at a video conference at the rail station organized by Bangladesh Railway (BR).

Panchgarh Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sabina Yasmin, Superintendent of Police (SP) Gias Uddin Ahmed and Railway West Zone General Manager (GM) Khandaker Shahidul Islam, among others, were present.

The minister left Panchagarh for Dhaka by the same train.

Railways sources said the non-stop train is capable of crossing 93 km in 10 hours. It will leave Panchagarh at 12:15pm and will reach Dhaka at 10:35pm. From Dhaka, it will leave at 12:10am and will reach Panchagarh at 10:45am.

The train will make stopover at Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Parbatipur and Dhaka Airport Railway Station.