If you are a train lover or a frequent traveler by rail, you might be familiar with the Kamalapur Railway Station, Dhaka. This is the largest and busiest railway station in Bangladesh, serving as the main gateway to the capital city of Dhaka. It is also one of the most modern and striking buildings in Dhaka, designed by American architect Robert Boughey. In this post, I will share with you some information about the Kamalapur Railway Station, Dhaka, such as its history, architecture, facilities, services, and train schedule.
History
The Kamalapur Railway Station, Dhaka, was opened on 1 May 1968, replacing the old Fulbaria Railway Station as the central railway station in Dhaka. The station was built as part of the East Pakistan Railway Master Plan Project, funded by the World Bank. The station was named after Kamalapur, a nearby village that was demolished to make way for the station.
The station was designed by Robert Boughey, an American architect who also designed the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh. The station has a unique shape that resembles a lotus flower or a spaceship. The station has a circular plan with a central dome and eight radial wings. The station is made of reinforced concrete and steel, with a white exterior and a red interior.
The station is a part of the Narayanganj–Bahadurabad Ghat line, which connects Dhaka with other important cities and towns in Bangladesh. The station has trains from different regions of Bangladesh, such as Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Chittagong, Noakhali, Dinajpur, and even India.
Architecture
The Kamalapur Railway Station, Dhaka, is a masterpiece of modern architecture that reflects the culture and identity of Bangladesh. The station has a circular plan with a diameter of 186 meters and a height of 26 meters. The station has a central dome that covers the main hall and eight radial wings that house the platforms and tracks. The dome has a skylight that allows natural light to enter the hall. The dome is supported by 16 columns that form an octagonal pattern around the hall.
The station has a white exterior that contrasts with the red interior. The white color symbolizes peace and purity, while the red color symbolizes blood and sacrifice. The station has a geometric pattern that resembles Islamic art and architecture. The station also has a green landscape that surrounds the building and creates a pleasant environment.
The station has a capacity of 20 trains and 10,000 passengers at a time. The station has eight platforms and seven tracks that can accommodate both meter gauge and broad gauge trains. The station has two entrances: one on the north side and one on the south side. The north entrance leads to the main hall and the south entrance leads to the ticket counters.
Facilities and Services
The Kamalapur Railway Station, Dhaka, offers various facilities and services for passengers, such as:
- Ticket counters: The station has several ticket counters where you can buy your train tickets or book them online. You can also check the availability and price of tickets on the digital display boards or on the official website of Bangladesh Railway.
- Waiting rooms: The station has separate waiting rooms for men and women, where you can sit comfortably and wait for your train. The waiting rooms have fans, lights, chairs, tables, toilets, prayer rooms, and televisions.
- Food stalls: The station has some food stalls where you can buy snacks, drinks, newspapers, and magazines.
- Luggage storage: The station has a luggage storage facility where you can keep your baggage for a nominal fee.
- Security check: The station has a security check system where you have to pass through a metal detector and a baggage scanner before entering the platform area. You also have to show your ticket and identity proof to the security personnel.
- Parking lot: The station has a spacious parking lot for vehicles where you can park your car or bike for a nominal fee.
- ATM: The station has an ATM machine where you can withdraw cash using your debit or credit card.
- Wi-Fi: The station has free Wi-Fi service where you can access the internet using your mobile phone or laptop.
Train Schedule
The Kamalapur Railway Station, Dhaka, has trains from different regions of Bangladesh, such as Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Chittagong, Noakhali, Dinajpur, and even India. Some of the popular trains that depart from or arrive at this station are:
- Subarna Express: This is an intercity train that runs between Dhaka and Chattogram. It departs from Dhaka at 15:00 and arrives at Chattogram at 20:30. It departs from Chattogram at 7:00 and arrives at Dhaka at 12:10. It has an off day on Friday.
- Mahanagar Provati/Godhuli Express: This is an intercity train that runs between Dhaka and Chattogram. It departs from Dhaka at 7:45 and arrives at Chattogram at 15:55. It departs from Chattogram at 15:00 and arrives at Dhaka at 22:10. It has no off day.
- Ekota Express: This is an intercity train that runs between Dhaka and Panchagarh. It departs from Dhaka at 10:00 and arrives at Panchagarh at 19:45. It departs from Panchagarh at 8:15 and arrives at Dhaka at 18:40. It has an off day on Tuesday.
- Tista Express: This is an intercity train that runs between Dhaka and Dewanganj. It departs from Dhaka at 7:30 and arrives at Dewanganj at 12:45. It departs from Dewanganj at 15:52 and arrives at Dhaka at 20:25. It has an off day on Monday.
- Parabat Express: This is an intercity train that runs between Dhaka and Sylhet. It departs from Dhaka at 6:20 and arrives at Sylhet at 13:00. It departs from Sylhet at 15:00 and arrives at Dhaka at 22:10. It has an off day on Tuesday.
You can check the full list of trains and their schedule here.
Conclusion
I hope this post has helped you to know more about the Kamalapur Railway Station, Dhaka. It is the largest and busiest railway station in Bangladesh, serving as the main gateway to the capital city of Dhaka. It is also one of the most modern and striking buildings in Dhaka, designed by American architect Robert Boughey. If you are planning to take a train from or to this station, make sure to book your ticket in advance and arrive at least 30 minutes before the departure time. Thank you for reading and happy traveling!
