Panchagarh-Cox's Bazar direct train to transform railway network

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Bangladesh is developing a series of railway projects, including new lines and upgrades, to establish a direct train route between Panchagarh in the north and Cox’s Bazar in the south. This will reduce travel times by up to four hours, boost trade and tourism, and improve connectivity across key northern and eastern rail networks.

The government of Bangladesh is advancing a series of railway projects aimed at establishing a direct train service between Panchagarh, located near the northern border, and the southern tourist destination of Cox’s Bazar. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity between the country’s northern and eastern railway networks.

Bangladesh Railway has identified five key projects to integrate these regional networks more effectively. These include the construction of the Bogura–Sirajganj chord line and the Santahar–Bogura link in the western region, along with development efforts on the Chattogram–Dohazari, Tongi–Akhaura, and Laksam–Chattogram routes in the eastern region. The projects are being implemented in coordination with upgrades to the dual-gauge and broad-gauge lines, the acquisition of new locomotives and coaches, the modernization of safety systems, the introduction of digital passenger services, and environmental protection measures.

Railways Ministry Secretary Md Fahimul Islam confirmed that the coordinated efforts align with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive to create direct train connections from Panchagarh to Cox’s Bazar. He noted that, once operational, these services would also extend to other broad-gauge routes including Rajshahi and Chilahati. This contrasts with current train routes from Panchagarh and northern areas that detour via Ishwardi when traveling toward Dhaka.

The introduction of the Bogura–Sirajganj chord line and the Santahar–Bogura link is expected to shorten this detour by approximately 112 kilometers, reducing travel times on several northern routes by three to four hours. Such improvements are anticipated to accelerate business and trade in northern Bangladesh by facilitating quicker and more cost-effective transport of goods to the capital and other regions.

Regarding project progress, Fahimul Islam highlighted the priority given to the Bogura–Sirajganj dual-gauge railway line construction, noting that 901 acres of land have been acquired with the cooperation of district administrations. The revised Development Project Proposal has been restructured and submitted to the Planning Commission for approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), signaling advancement toward implementation.

These comprehensive upgrades reflect Bangladesh’s commitment to modernizing its rail infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity to support economic growth and tourism development.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.