Dhaka-Bound Nilsagar and Chilahati Express to Stop at Hili Station, Locals Hold Joy Procession

The Ministry of Railways has approved stoppages at Hili railway station in Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur for the Dhaka-bound Nilsagar Express and Chilahati Express trains, for passengers' convenience.

Local residents celebrated the fulfilment of a long-standing expectation. Welcoming the railway authorities' decision, a joy procession was brought out from Hili railway station at noon on Thursday (29 October) and paraded through various roads of the town.

Hakimpur upazila BNP president Ferdous Rahman, general secretary Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi, organising secretary Hazrat Ali, and other leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations joined the procession, along with teachers and students of Hili Madrasa and people from various professions in the upazila.

Local residents said Hili's people had long been neglected in many areas, and alleged that despite the government earning huge revenue from Hili land port, expected development had not taken place in communications and other sectors. In that context, they described the approval of stoppages for the two intercity trains as an important step towards meeting a long-standing demand, and said they were extremely happy with the decision.

They said once the stoppages take effect, people of Hili and nearby areas will be able to travel to Dhaka easily, reducing travel time and suffering while also positively affecting trade and local communications. They have also become newly hopeful about communications development as repair work on Hili's broken roads has begun.

Hakimpur upazila BNP general secretary Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi said Hili had been much neglected in the past and development had begun after the BNP government came to power. He said the social welfare minister had promised during the election to fulfil local people's demands if they cooperated with votes, and work was now under way on Hili's various problems in line with that promise.

Upazila BNP president Ferdous Rahman said the BNP government believes in people's development, and that development activities in the constituency would move forward under Dinajpur-6 minister Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, with work already begun in four upazilas.

A notification issued on 28 October by the Administration-1 branch of the Ministry of Railways announced the approval. According to it, intercity train No. 765 Nilsagar Express and No. 805 Chilahati Express have been permitted to stop at Hili railway station.

The notification said the decision was taken considering passengers' demand and railway revenue, following a proposal sent by the director general of Bangladesh Railway. The notification, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Nasrin, directed the director general of Bangladesh Railway to take necessary measures.

Once implemented, the decision is expected to make travel to Dhaka easier for traders centred on Hili land port, service holders, students, patients and general passengers. Passengers of Hili and surrounding areas are now waiting for the two trains' stoppages to take effect.