Train travel on the Sylhet–Dhaka route—one of Bangladesh’s most important yet most neglected rail corridors—has become a source of constant frustration for passengers. All four intercity trains on this route are routinely missing their schedules, with delays growing longer by the day. At Kamalapur Railway Station, trains bound for Sylhet often find themselves at the bottom of the priority list, worsening the situation further.
For many in Sylhet, trains remain the safest and most dependable link to the capital. Yet shortages of tickets, ageing infrastructure, weak engines, and poor maintenance have made delays almost unavoidable. Regular commuters and tourists alike are paying the price.
Passengers say the Upaban Express, scheduled to leave Dhaka at 10pm, frequently departs three to four hours late. Kalni Express faces similar delays, often leaving two to three hours behind its scheduled 2:55pm departure. Parabat and Jayantika Expresses also routinely fail to keep to time.
Passengers allege that even when Sylhet-bound trains arrive at Dhaka’s Kamalapur station on time—or sometimes ahead of schedule—they are not allowed to depart as planned. Instead, trains serving routes such as Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Noakhali are given priority and cleared for departure first. This practice leaves Sylhet-bound trains waiting, resulting in repeated schedule delays despite timely arrivals.
Railway officials admit that the hilly terrain of Sylhet requires powerful locomotives, but outdated and weaker engines continue to be used. While other routes benefit from modern 3300-series engines, the Sylhet route still relies on century-old 2950-series engines, which frequently break down.
Local travellers say the combination of ticket shortages, fragile engines, and poor infrastructure has turned train journeys into a daily struggle. Long halts in hilly areas and extended waiting times at stations have left passengers exhausted and frustrated.
Railway authorities cite dense fog, engine shortages, and terrain-related challenges as reasons behind the delays, adding that the lack of standby locomotives has made matters worse. Passengers, however, insist that without modern engines, infrastructure upgrades, and fair treatment at Kamalapur station, the suffering on the Sylhet–Dhaka route will continue.