Mahanagar Express to run between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar from Oct 26

The Mahanagar Express will start running between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar from October 26, allowing passengers at several intermediate stations to travel directly to the tourist destination for the first time.

Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman, chief operating superintendent of Bangladesh Railway’s Eastern Zone, said preparations were underway to launch the extended service on the date.

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The train currently operates between Dhaka and Chattogram. Unlike the Cox’s Bazar Express and Parjatak Express, which run almost non-stop between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, the Mahanagar Express stops at several stations along the route.

Passengers from Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla and Feni, who cannot board the two direct trains from their local stations, will now be able to travel to Cox’s Bazar without changing trains.

Under the revised schedule, train 722 will leave Dhaka at 8:30pm and reach Cox’s Bazar at 6:00am the following day. Train 721 will leave Cox’s Bazar at 8:00am and reach Chattogram at 12:20pm before arriving in Dhaka at 6:30pm.

The train will stop at Narsingdi, Bhairab Bazar, Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, Kasba, Cumilla, Laksham, Nangalkot and Feni. The service will offer AC accommodation, including Snigdha, AC Seat and AC Berth, alongside Shovon Chair.

Currently, the Cox’s Bazar Express and Parjatak Express operate between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, while the Saikat Express and Prabal Express run between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. The extension will increase the number of train pairs serving Cox’s Bazar from four to five.

However, the Mahanagar Express will no longer stop at Kumira station in Chattogram under the revised schedule, Shafiqur Rahman said.