Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line
Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Status | Operational |
Owner | Bangladesh Railway |
Locale | Bangladesh |
Termini | |
Stations | 38 |
History | |
Opened | Akhaura–Kulaura: 1896–98, Kulaura–Sylhet: 1912–15, Sylhet–Chhatak 1954 |
Technical | |
Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
Operating speed | ? |
The Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line is a railway line connecting Akhaura and Chhatak, via Kulaura in Bangladesh. This line is under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh Railway.
History
In response to the demands of the Assam tea planters for a railway link to Chittagong port, Assam Bengal Railway started construction of a railway track on the eastern side of Bengal in 1891. A 150 kilometres (93 mi) track between Chittagong and Comilla was opened to traffic in 1895. The Comilla–Akhaura–Kalaura–Badarpur section was opened in 1896–98 and extended to Lumding by 1903.[1][2][3]
The Kulaura-Sylhet section was opened 1912–15, the Shaistaganj-Hobiganj branch line in 1928, the Shaistaganj–Balla branch line in 1928 and the Sylet–Chhatak Bazar line in 1954.[4]
A metre gauge link exists between Shahbajpur in Bangladesh and Mahisasan in India.[5]
Trains
There are several direct trains between Dhaka and Sylhet, such as Parabot, Jointika and Upbon. The one-way journey takes a little over seven hours.[6] There also are trains to Chittagong from Sylhet.[7]
The new railway station at Sylhet was opened in 2004. A.K. Rafique Uddin Ahmed, representing Engineering and Planning Consultants Ltd., was the chief architect of the project.[8]
Nearby places
Madhabkunda waterfall is a 3 km rickshaw ride from Dakshinbag railway station. It is also accessible from Sylhet and Srimangal.[7]
Tamabil-Dawki road border-crossing across the Bangladesh–India border is 55 km north of Sylhet.[7]
References
- ^ Quazi Abul Fida (2012). "Railway". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^ "Report on the administration of North East India (1921–22)". p. 46. Google Books/ Mttal Publishers Distributors. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ S.N.Singh, Amarendra Narain, Purnendu Kumar. "Socio Economic and Political Problems of Tea Garden Workers: A Study of Assam, Published 2006, ISBN 81-8324-098-4". p. 105. Mittal Publications, New Delhi. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Brief History". Bangladesh Railway. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "Geography – International". IRFCA. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "Nazimgarh Resorts". Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ a b c Stuart Butler. "Bangladesh". p.150. lonely planet/ Google Books. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "New Sylhet Railway Station will provide modern amenities". News from Bangladesh, 3 September 2004. Retrieved 16 December 2011.