Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line

Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line
Overview
Status	Operational
Locale	Bangladesh
Termini	Akhaura Chhatak
Stations	38
Operation
Opened	Akhaura–Kulaura: 1896–98, Kulaura–Sylhet: 1912–15, Sylhet–Chhatak 1954
Owner	Bangladesh Railway
Technical
No. of tracks	2/ 1 ?
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ^3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Operating speed	?

Akhaura-Kulaura-Chhatak Line

Legend Chhatak Afjalabad Shatpur Khajanchigaon Sylhet Moglabazar Kushiyara River Fenchuganj Maijgaon Bhabora Bazar Barmochal Chhokapan to Mahisasan Bangladesh-India border Shahbajpur Muraul Borolekha Kanthaltoli Dakhinbag Kulaura Langla Tilagaon Manu Shamsernagar Bhanugachh Shrimongol Shahgao Rashidpur Salajuri Loskorpur Khowai River Barkola Shakir Mohammod Sochong Bazar Chunarghat Amu Road Asampara Balla Sayestaganj Hobigonj Hobigonj Court Dhuliakhol Pakpara Shutang Shahaji Bazar Chhatian Noapara Itakhola Teliapara Shahpur Montola Kashimnogor Horshopur Mukundopur Morashani Shingarbi Ajompur to Tongi-Bhairab-Akhaura Line Akhaura to Akhaura-Laksam-Chittagong Line Source: Bangladesh Railway Route Map

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

Sylhet railway station

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

1. Quazi Abul Fida (2012). "Railway". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
2. "Report on the administration of North East India (1921–22)". p. 46. Google Books/ Mttal Publishers Distributors. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
3. 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 2011-12-16.
4. "Brief History". Bangladesh Railway. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
5. "Geography – International". IRFCA. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
6. "Nazimgarh Resorts". Retrieved 2011-12-16.
7. Stuart Butler. "Bangladesh". p.150. lonely planet/ Google Books. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
8. "New Sylhet Railway Station will provide modern amenities". News from Bangladesh, 3 September 2004. Retrieved 2011-12-16.