CHATTOGRAM, Aug 17: The Sonar Bangla Express on Dhaka-Chattogram rail route started its journey with new Korean coaches on Wednesday afternoon.
At the same time, Bijoy Express on Chattogram-Mymensingh route also ran with the old coaches of its peer train Sonar Bangla.
Bangladesh Railway chief mechanical engineer (eastern zone) Taposh Das said Sonar Bangla Express ran with new coaches from August 16.
Besides, the old coaches of Sonar Bangla were added to Bijoy Express the same day, he added.
Mr Taposh said, "With the four new coaches, the number of total coaches of Sonar Bangla now stands at 18. The new coaches will accommodate 306 more passengers."
Again, the number of coaches of Bijoy Express on Chattogram-Mymensingh route is now 16 after the addition of two coaches, he added.
The 321-kilometre Dhaka-Chattogram double-track line, which came into operation on July 20, has ushered in a new era of rail communication, according to sources.
The travel time on track will also come down by one hour and a half now.
It is to be noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the rail service on double-track line on Dhaka-Chattogram route from Gonobhaban through videoconferencing on July 20.
Train on this route now gathers speed at 120 kilometres per hour.
The new line will increase the capacity of railway for efficient train operation and also meet fast-growing freight and intercity passenger trains.
Currently, there is no signal crossing for the service on double-track rail line on Dhaka-Chattogram route now.
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