DHAKA: The much-awaited high speed train ‘Banalata Express’ hit Rajshahi-Dhaka rail route for the maiden trip on Thursday (April 25).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the non-stop train service through video conferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban around 11:02am. 

She opened the maiden voyage of the train by blowing whistle and flying the green flag. 

Just before the inauguration, in the video conference, the Prime Minister said, “Keeping the matters of upcoming Eid and mango production in Rajshahi in mind, the train service has been inaugurated at this time”.

Assembled with 12 bogies, Banalata Express has bio-toilet system, making the facility first for any local train.

The train will run six days a week. As per its regular schedule, the 928-seat train will start at 7am from Rajshahi station and reach Dhaka at 11:40am. It would start again from Dhaka at 1:30pm and reach Rajshahi at 6pm.

It will take four to four and a half hours for Dhaka-Rajshahi journey, said Railway Additional Director General (Operation) Mia Jahan.

BDST: 1148 HRS, APR 25, 2019
RS/SMS