Train services on the Dhaka-Jashore-Khulna-Benapole route via the Padma Bridge will begin on December 2.

Padma Rail Link Project Director Md Afzal Hossain said it on Thursday (November 22).

He said, "We are hopeful about the official start of passenger train services on the Dhaka-Benapole section via the Padma Bridge from December 2."

He also said that the Sundarbans Express train will leave Khulna for Kamalapur at 6 am on December 2, and the Benapole Express will leave Kamalapur for Benapole at around 11 am on the same day.

The project director said the total journey time from Dhaka to Benapole would be approximately three and a half hours.

The newly constructed broad-gauge single-line rail track now connects the existing Khulna-bound rail line via Rupdia and Singia stations.

The government has built the 172 kilometre new railway track, with plans to upgrade it to a double track between Kamalapur, Rupdia, and Singia stations, at a cost of Tk37,155 crore.

This development followed a successful two-day inspection by the Bangladesh Railway Inspector General (GIBR) of the line from Bhanga to Jashore.