Bangladesh Railway

Changrabandha-Burimari-Lalmonirhat-Teesta-Kaunia-Parbatipur;

Parbatipur-Dinajpur-Birol-Radhikapur-Raiganj-Barsoi;

Badarpur-Karimganj-Maishasan-Shabazpur-Kulaura-Sylhet/Chittagong;

Agartala-Akhaura-Dhaka/Chittagong;

Old Malda-Singhabad-Rohanpur-Rajshahi;

Eklakhi-Balurghat-Hili.

While routes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 are already operational, routes 4 and 6 are being restored, with routes 7 and 9 currently nearing construction completion.

In 2010, funding was received for a bridge over the Titas River. In September 2010, the Government of Bangladesh approved ten rail development projects costing 19·9 billion Bangladeshi taka including plans for new tracks and rolling stock. To bolster the bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, the Ministry of Railways in India has supplied 20 Broad Gauge (BG) locomotives to its eastern neighbour, thus contributing to the railway infrastructure of Bangladesh. These locomotives have been appropriately modified by the Indian side to align with the requirements of Bangladesh Railway. The provision of these locomotives will aid in managing the growing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh, thereby supporting the enhancement of its railway system. It is worth noting that previously, in June 2020, the Indian Government had granted 10 locomotives to Bangladesh, further contributing to the improvement of its railways.

In 2011, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, officiated at the start of construction of a link that would cross several rivers to reach Cox's Bazar. The 100 kilometres (62 mi) of dual-gauge line started from the railhead at Dohazari, southeast of Chittagong. The plan was to reach Satkania, Dulahazra, Chakarin, Edgaon, Ramu, and Cox's Bazar, with four major river bridges and a 30 kilometres (19 mi) branch from Ramu to Gundum. In 2013, the Chhattogram Circular Railway was completed.

In 2015, construction of a 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) branch to Agartala, Tripura in Northeast India commenced. In 2017, land acquisition took place to facilitate the construction.

In 2022, construction of the 6,250 metres (20,510 ft) long Padma Bridge was completed and the bridge was thrown open after inauguration by Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to connect Dhaka with Faridpur via Narayanganj.

In 2017, Bangladesh Railway operated 90 inter-city trains (up and down), 52 mail or express trains, 64 commuter trains (DEMU), 135 shuttle or local trains and 2 international services.

Two times per week, a passenger train operates a service to India. In April 2008, the Maitri Express between Dhaka and Kolkata came into operation on the Gede – Darsana route 400 kilometres (250 mi). On 9 November 2017, a new weekly train, the Bandhan Express, came into operation between Khulna and Kolkata via Petrapole and Benapole 176 kilometres (109 mi). Recently in 2021, another new weekly train, the Mitali Express, came into operation between New Jalpaiguri and Dhaka via Parbatipur and Iswardi 500 kilometres (310 mi).

In addition, many inter-city rail services operate between the nation's two largest cities, Dhaka and Chattogram. Such services may include: The Sonar Bangla Express, Suburno Express, Mohanagar Express, Turna Express, and Chattala Express services. These services provide many options for Bangladeshis to travel between the two destinations.

Tickets for Bangladesh Railway services are available at all stations. Most stations are computerized and tickets, which can be purchased within four days of departure, are printed. Full refunds (excluding clerical charges) are available up until two days before departure. The railway reserves ten percent of tickets for online sales. Of these tickets, fifteen percent are reserved for mobile phone sales.

Accidents

On 19 April 1965, Pakistan army attacked Parbatipur-Sealdah East Bengal Mail, Goalundo Ghat-Sealdah East Bengal Express, killing 200 passengers on board these trains. These incidents stopped rail connections between West Bengal and East Bengal until 2008.

On 1970, the Bhola Cyclone destroyed railway line and connections between Khulna and Barisal via Bagerhat.

On 12 February 1971(date disputed), East Pakistan army bombed at least 10 passenger trains throughout Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Chittagong and Sylhet in connection to Military Operation Searchlight. Nearly 1000 people died with many injured.

On 11 July 2006, a train collided with a crowded bus at an unmanned railroad crossing at Akkelpur Upazila, Jaipurhat District. Thirty-three people died and thirty were injured.

On 13 October 2007, the rear carriages of the Probhati Express derailed near Dhaka. Four people died and fifty were injured.

On 16 April 2008, a Dinajpur – Dhaka Ekota express train collided with a local bus on a level crossing on the outskirts of Kalihati, Tangail District. Eighteen people died and thirty were injured.

On 14 May 2008, an Upaban express train crashed into the rear of a Noakhali express train at the Ashuganj Upazila station, Brahmanbaria District. Eight people died and one hundred were injured.

On 8 December 2010, a collision between two passenger trains killed at least ten people.

On 23 June 2019, several bogies of Dhaka-bound Upaban Express train from Sylhet veered off the tracks at around 11:40 pm after a culvert over the Barochhara Canal broke down, 200 yards off Baramchal Railway Station. At least five people died and hundreds were injured. Locals who worked overnight with the first responders claimed at least 10-15 people have been killed.

On 12 November 2019, At least 16 passengers died and score other injured as Dhaka-bound Turni Nishita Express rammed Chattogram-bound Udayan Express from Sylhet at Mandobagh Railway Station in Kasba.

On 14 November 2019, Two days after a deadly train crash in Brahmanbaria, Rangpur Express, bound from Dhaka to Rangpur, braced an accident at Ullapara station in Sirajganj at around 2pm on Thursday. Seven compartments of Rangpur Express, including its engine and power car, derailed in the Ullapara Railway Station area and a fire broke out in three of its compartments.

On 5 January 2024, fire broke out at about 9 p.m. (1500 GMT), injuring eight passengers as it spread to four compartments of the Benapole Express headed for the capital city, Dhaka.Witnesses claim fire was due to arson in protest of National Elections scheduled for 7 January 2024.

Accommodation classes

Bangladesh Railway has three main passenger classes, "Air conditioned", "First" and "Second". Most trains do not provide the "Air conditioned" class. On inter-city and long-distance trains, a restaurant car and a power car are included at the centre of the train. All inter-city trains are partially air-conditioned, feature padded leather seats and provide passengers with on-demand sheets, pillows, blankets, as well as meals in a dining car. Some diesel–electric trains provides commuter services.