Sylhet railway station

Sylhet railway station (Bengali: সিলেট রেলওয়ে স্টেশন) is a railway station in Bangladesh. It is the third-largest in the country. There are two types of rail lines in Bangladesh: Meter gauge and Broad gauge. This station is connected with meter-gauge link on both sides from Chhatak and Dhaka. This railway station is situated in Sylhet city.

Sylhet railway station সিলেট রেলওয়ে স্টেশন
Bangladesh Railway's station
Entrance of Sylhet railway station in 2015
Location	Sylhet, Sylhet District Sylhet Division  Bangladesh
Coordinates	23°43′55″N 90°25′34″E
Owned by	Bangladesh Railway
Line(s)	Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak
Platforms	3
Other information
Status	Functioning
Services
Preceding station   Bangladesh Railway   Following station Moghlabazar toward Kulaura Junction   Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line   Khazanchigaon toward Chhatak Bazar
Route map Chhatak Bazar Afzalabad Satpur Halt Khazanchigaon Sylhet Moghlabazar Fenchuganj railway bridge Fenchuganj Maijgaon Bhatera Bazar Baramchal Chokhapon to Mahisasan Bangladesh–India border Shahbazpur Muraul Barlekha Kathaltali Dakshinbhag Dhamai Juri Kulaura Junction Langla Tilagaon Manu Shamshernagar Bhanugach Sreemangal Satgaon Rashidpur Satiajuri Halt Laskarpur Khowai railway bridge Barkota Shakir Mohammod Shotong Bazar Chunarughat Amu Road Asampara Balla Shaistaganj Junction Habiganj Bazar Habiganj Court Dhuliakhal Paikpara Sutang Shahaji Bazar Chatiyan Nowapara Itakhola Teliapara Shahpur Mantola Quashimpur Harashpur Mukundapur Merasani Singerbil Azampur to Tongi–Bhairab–Akhaura line Akhaura Junction to Akhaura–Laksam–Chittagong line Source: Bangladesh Railway Route Map

The newly formed Sylhet railway station was inaugurated in 2004. With the supervision of A.K. Rafique Uddin Ahmed, representing Engineering and Planning Consultants Ltd., was the chief architect of the project.[1] The station has three platforms.

History

In 1891 Assam Bengal Railway started construction of a railway track on the eastern side of Bengal, with the response of the Assam tea planters demands. Gradually railway link spread through the region. When the Kulaura-Sylhet section was opened in 1912–15, Sylhet railway station started functioning. Later the Sylhet–Chhatak Bazar line was constructed in 1954,[2] and connected with the station.

Location

Being located between Sylhet-Dhaka Highway and Sylhet Bipass Road, this station is easily accessible from any direction. It is adjacent to Kodomttoli Bus Terminal, from where one travel all over the country by bus. Keane, a historical bridge on the Surma River, and Sylhet Polytechnic Institute are only half km away from the station.

Train services

Parabat Express at Sylhet railway station

Parabat, Joyontika, Upobon and Kalni Express are available to go Dhaka directly from Sylhet. The one-way journey takes a little over seven hours.[3] There also are trains to Chittagong from the railway station.[4] Paharhika express is available for Chittagong-Sylhet route. Sylhet railway station has connected all the country with the division via Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line.

Outlook

Sylhet railway station is a somewhat reflection of Kamalapur railway station's style. This lotus-shaped shell structure covering functional buildings like an umbrella, fascinates the people. The station contains two ticket counters. The station has three platforms and there are two restaurants beside the two sides of the ticket counters. There are also some fast food shops near the ticket counters.

Present condition

Besides many intercity express, local trains also transport through the station. Homeless people take shelter at the night time in the station. The station has its own security guards, station masters, along with a station manager. Daily, thousands of people come through the station. People can go to Dhaka, Comilla, Chittagong, Chhatak, etc. directly from the station. The platforms are always populated when the trains stop and before starting. To ensure the security and control the area there are many police and guards inside and outside of the station. The old platform turned into a railway police station.

References

1. "New Sylhet Railway Station will provide modern amenities". News from Bangladesh, 3 September 2004. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
2. "Brief History". Bangladesh Railway. Archived from the original on 20 December 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
3. "Nazimgarh Resorts". Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
4. Stuart Butler (2008). Bangladesh. p.150. lonely planet/ Internet Archive. p. 150. Retrieved 2011-12-16.

External links

Media related to Sylhet Railway Station at Wikimedia Commons