Shaikat Express
| Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Service type | Intercity train | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | Bangladesh Railway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Operational | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Cox's Bazar Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | 1 February 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current operator | East Zone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | Chittagong Cox's Bazar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 9 in both directions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 150.87 kilometres (93.75 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 220 mins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | 6 days/week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train numbers | 821 and 824 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lines used | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge mixed with 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) in Dual Gauge Layout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track owner | Ministry of Railways | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rake sharing | Probal Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Shaikat Express (Bengali: সৈকত এক্সপ্রেস) is an intercity train belonging to Bangladesh Railway – East Zone that runs between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar railway station from 1 February 2025.
History
Rail transport started on Chittagong–Cox's Bazar line from 1 December 2023. However, all trains on the line was Dhaka-bound and there was no Chittagong-bound train.[1] In April 2024, Bangladesh Railway announced to run 10-day special train with 8 stoppage from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar for Eid al-Fitr.[2] However, the special train service was functional even after 10 days and was later discontinued in 30 May for "engine and locomaster shortage". One the same year, the train started its 10-day operation again for Eid al-Adha from 12 June.[3] Later its service was extended to 30 days.[4] The special train was in operation till September 2024 and its operation was extended to 15 October.[5] From April 2024 to December 2024, the special train earned ৳20 million with 0.1 million ridership.[6] On 11 December 2024, Chief Operating Officer of East Zone proposed to Director General of Bangladesh Railway by an official letter to transform the special train into a regular train and run the train for 4 times in a day as it has increasing demand.[7] Bangladesh Railway accepted the proposal and decided to name the proposed regular train after Shaikat (lit. 'Beach').[8] On 9 January 2025, the proposal was approved by the Ministry of Railways.[9] The train started its service as regular on 1 February 2025.[10] On 29 July 2025, East Zone published new schedule for the train which would be effective from 10 August.[11]
Service
This train is operated by Bangladesh Railway, connecting Chittagong, Sholashohor, Janalihat, Patia, Dohazari, Satkania, Harbang, Chakaria, Dulahazara, Ramu and Cox's Bazar. It is currently operated with train numbers 821/824 on 6 days a week basis (Monday is the off day).[11][10]
Schedule
The schedule of this train is given below:[11][10]
| CTG - CXBZR - CTG Express | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 821 | Stations | 824 | ||
| Arrival | Departure | Arrival | Departure | |
| ---- | 05:50 | Chittagong | 23:50 | ---- |
| 06:00 | 16:02 | Sholashohor | ---- | ---- |
| 06:14 | 06:16 | Janalihat | 23:10 | 23:12 |
| 06:40 | 06:42 | Patia | 22:42 | 22:44 |
| 07:04 | 07:06 | Dohazari | 22:18 | 22:20 |
| 07:17 | 07:19 | Satkania | 22:05 | 22:07 |
| 07:56 | 07:58 | Harbang | 21:26 | 21:28 |
| 08:10 | 08:12 | Chakaria | 21:12 | 21:14 |
| 08:33 | 08:35 | Dulahazara | 20:48 | 20:50 |
| 09:06 | 09:08 | Ramu | 20:15 | 20:17 |
| 09:25 | ---- | Cox's Bazar | ---- | 20:00 |
References
- ^ "প্রথমবার চট্টগ্রাম থেকে যাত্রী নিয়ে কক্সবাজার গেল 'বিশেষ ট্রেন'". Jamuna TV (in Bengali). 8 April 2024.
- ^ "ঈদে চট্টগ্রাম-কক্সবাজার রুটে চলাচল করবে বিশেষ ট্রেন". Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). 2 April 2024.
- ^ "আবারও চালু হলো চট্টগ্রাম-কক্সবাজার বিশেষ ট্রেন". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 13 June 2024.
- ^ "চট্টগ্রাম-কক্সবাজার 'ঈদ স্পেশাল' ট্রেন চলবে আরও এক মাস". Bdnews24.com (in Bengali). 23 June 2024.
- ^ "কক্সবাজার স্পেশাল ট্রেন চলবে আরো একমাস". Ajker Patrika (in Bengali). 14 September 2024.
- ^ Ghosh, Sujan (17 December 2024). "চট্টগ্রাম-কক্সবাজার রুটে এক জোড়া ট্রেন বাড়ছে". Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
- ^ "কক্সবাজার স্পেশাল ট্রেনের ট্রিপ বাড়ানোর প্রস্তাব". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 19 December 2024.
- ^ Chowdhury, Zobayer (21 December 2024). "চট্টগ্রাম-কক্সবাজার রুটে নতুন ট্রেন চালুর পরিকল্পনা রেলওয়ের". The Business Standard (in Bengali).
- ^ "অবশেষে নিয়মিত দুটি ট্রেন পেল চট্টগ্রাম". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 10 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "কক্সবাজার-চট্টগ্রাম রুটে প্রবাল ও সৈকত এক্সপ্রেস ট্রেন চালু". Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "চট্টগ্রাম–কক্সবাজার রুটে দুই ট্রেনের সময় বদলে যাচ্ছে". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 31 July 2025.