| Shonar Bangla Express | |
| Locale: | Dhaka and Chittagong |
| Operator: | Bangladesh Railway |
| Status: | Operating |
| Stops: | 1 |
| Journeytime: | 5 hours & 20 minutes |
| Frequency: | 7 days a week |
| Catering: | On-board |
| Website: | http://www.railway.gov.bd/ |
The Shonar Bangla Express (Train no. 787/788) is an inter-city rail service run by Bangladesh Railway. This service provides a swift and luxurious passenger rail connection between the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka to the important port city of Chattogram. This service only has one intermediate stop at Dhaka Airport.[1]
Shonar Bangla was introduced as a nonstop inter-city train that offers quality food and fast service. Since its inauguration, the train had started from Dhaka Railway Station . Shonar Bangla gets the 2nd top priority on Bangladesh Railway network. It only gives stoppage at Dhaka Airport Station. The fare of the train is similar with Suborno Express. From 2021,food price doesn't include with ticket supplied by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. On 16th of April, 2023, during an Eid Trip. Shonar Bangla derailed and hit a goods train in Nangalkot, Comilla at 6:30PM. 5 of the compartments have derailed and 50 have been injured with no deaths.[2] [3]
The train departs Dhaka railway station at 07:00 AM (Bangladesh Standard Time) and arrives in Chittagong at 12:15 PM. On the return trip, it departs Chittagong at 05:00 PM and arrives in Dhaka at 10:05 PM. This train runs 6 days a week.[4]
The train currently runs with 14 Indonesia-made red-green PT INKA air-brake coaches. However, sometimes the train pulls up to 18 coaches if there is compelling demand. These coaches were imported in 2016. However after the accident at 16th April 2023. 7 compartments was badly damaged to even be repaired. Shonar Bangla temporarily used South Korean coaches made by Sung Sing Rolling Stock Technology (SSRST) for the Eid Trips on April 19th after suspending Shonar Bangla Service for 3 days before switching to Indonesian Made PT-INKA.
Shonar Bangla Express is hauled by a Class 3000 of Bangladesh Railway. The train needs an air-braked locomotive which is mandatory.