Special Trains to Run for Durga Puja on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar Route

Bangladesh Railway has announced that it will operate special trains on the Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram–Dhaka routes during the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja holidays to accommodate the heavy rush of passengers.

This year, with the Puja festival overlapping with weekly holidays, government offices and courts will remain closed for four consecutive days, leading to an expected surge in travellers. In anticipation, the railway authority has taken steps to ensure smooth, safe, and comfortable journeys for holidaymakers and tourists.

According to railway officials, the special services will run from 30 September to 4 October. The Chattogram Special (Dhaka-bound) will depart Chattogram on 30 September at 2:45 pm and reach Dhaka at 8:00 pm. Meanwhile, on 4 October, the Dhaka Special (Chattogram-bound) will leave Dhaka at 10:30 pm for Chattogram.

In addition, a Tourist Special will run daily between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar during the same period. On 30 September, the train will leave Dhaka at 10:30 pm and arrive in Cox’s Bazar at 6:50 am the next day. The return journey from Cox’s Bazar will begin at 11:30 am. This service will continue every day until 4 October.

Each of the special trains will consist of 18 coaches, with 834 seats available during the day and 789 at night. Fares will remain the same as those of regular trains, ensuring affordability for passengers.

Explaining the decision, Mohammad Shafiqul Rahman, Chief Operating Officer (East) of Bangladesh Railway, said:

“With Durga Puja and the weekly holidays combined, people will enjoy four consecutive days of vacation. During such long breaks, the number of tourists travelling to Cox’s Bazar increases significantly. Train travel has become the top choice for most tourists. That’s why we are introducing special trains to meet passenger demand. These trains will provide all the facilities of regular intercity trains, ensuring safe and comfortable journeys.”

Railway authorities expect the initiative will not only ease the pressure on regular services but also encourage more people to opt for train travel instead of road transport, reducing congestion on highways during the holiday period.

The special trains are also aimed at supporting tourism in Cox’s Bazar, which usually sees a sharp rise in visitors during festive seasons. By providing timely and well-managed services, Bangladesh Railway hopes to make travel during Durga Puja smoother and more enjoyable for all passengers.