After Three Decades of Demands, Titumir and Sagardari Express to Stop at Rajshahi University Station

After a long movement and sustained demands, the Titumir Express and the Sagardari Express will make scheduled stops at the Rajshahi University (RU) railway station. The stops are set to take effect from Saturday (24 October).

The information was announced in a statement sent by the university's public relations office on Friday night (23 October). A letter of the same date, signed by the Additional Chief Operating Superintendent of Bangladesh Railway's western zone, also mentions the stoppages of the two trains.

According to the statement, the two trains receiving the stoppage are the No. 734 Titumir Express and the No. 761 Sagardari Express. The decision has brought relief among the university's students.

In a post on social media, Salahuddin Ammar, general secretary (GS) of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU), said they are receiving this stoppage after various movements and demands spanning three long decades. He congratulated everyone who took part in the movement, wrote in support of the demand, and quietly stood behind it.

Salahuddin Ammar also said that, apart from the Titumir and Sagardari Express, a decision has been reached with the administration to provide shuttle buses for students travelling on other night trains. An application has been made to the administration in this regard, and the administration has shown a positive attitude, he said.

He said discussions have also been held with the railway ministry about stoppages for the other trains, and that a further decision would be taken on the basis of mutual harmony. He also urged students not to behave in any way that could cause this facility to be withdrawn.

Earlier, RUCSU had demanded that mandatory stoppages of all long-distance trains at Rajshahi University railway station be ensured.

As the station had remained effectively non-functional for a long time, students had to suffer in travelling by train. The demand had also long been raised to ensure students' safety and ease of travel at night.

Notably, the Rajshahi University railway station has lain non-functional for more than three decades. The start of intercity train stoppages there after so long is being seen as a major achievement for the students.

Once the decision takes effect, students will be able to board and leave trains at the station adjacent to the campus, which is expected to reduce their travel hardship considerably.

Students will now be watching for decisions on stoppages for the remaining trains and on the shuttle bus. The future of the rest of the demand depends on the outcome of the discussions with the railway ministry.