Jamuna Bridge cuts train crossing time, fares to rise

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

Under the Pakshi Divisional Railway, the newly constructed Jamuna Railway Bridge has significantly reduced the time it takes for trains to cross the Jamuna River, cutting the previous 20-25 minute travel time to just 3-5 minutes. This has been made possible with the new railway schedule, which no longer utilizes the older route. As a result, 16 pairs of passenger trains are now crossing the river in only five minutes.
However, passengers traveling on the Jamuna Bridge will soon face an increase in train fares. Starting from March 19, additional charges will be applied to train services crossing the bridge, with fares rising from 45 to 160 taka. The fare hike applies to all trains using the new bridge, including popular services like the Western Railway Ekta Express, Chitra Express, Banalta Express, Ishwardi-Dhaka Commuter, Silk City Express, and others.
According to railway officials, the cost increase is linked to the maintenance and operational expenses of the new bridge. The length of the Jamuna Railway Bridge is 4.8 km, and the fare has been recalculated to reflect this new route. The bridge’s construction has also altered the cost-per-kilometer rate, which has been adjusted by 25 kilometers in the new fare structure. The base fare for AC class is now Tk 1.25 per kilometer, and Tk 1.17 for non-AC classes, with an additional 15% VAT and 10% inter-city surcharge.
The speed of trains crossing the bridge has been dramatically improved. The Ekta Express (706 down), for example, which previously took over 20 hours to travel from Panchagarh to Dhaka, will now complete its journey 30 minutes faster due to the bridge’s shorter crossing time.
Ishwardi Junction Station Master Sujan Kumar confirmed that while most trains have been running on time according to the new schedule, some delays still persist, especially for the 2-3 trains experiencing minor setbacks.
Hasina Khatun, Pakshi Divisional Transport Officer of Western Railway, noted that the new schedule has streamlined operations, eliminating previous delays. The two railway lines of the Jamuna Bridge are expected to open fully on March 18, further improving efficiency.
Jamuna Railway Bridge Project Director Al Fattah Md. Masudur Rahman emphasized the bridge’s positive impact on reducing travel time for passengers traveling between northern and southern regions, ushering in a new era of faster and more efficient train travel.
Despite the reduced travel time, the fare increase reflects the added costs associated with maintaining the new bridge, a decision aligned with historical practices dating back to the British era.