The Padma Bridge — inaugurated in June 2022 as Bangladesh's longest and most ambitious infrastructure project — carries not just road traffic but also a dedicated railway track on its lower deck. The Padma Bridge Rail Link, connecting Dhaka's Kamalapur area with Bhanga (Faridpur) on the south bank, is one of the most transformative railway developments in Bangladesh's modern history.
For decades, train passengers from Dhaka to Khulna, Rajshahi, and southwest Bangladesh had to cross the Padma River by ferry or take lengthy detours via Jamuna Bridge. The rail component of the Padma Bridge eliminates this bottleneck entirely, reducing Dhaka–Khulna journey times significantly and opening up direct connectivity across the Padma River for the first time.
As of 2026, the Padma Rail Link has been progressively brought into service, with intercity trains now using the bridge for services to Khulna, Jessore, Faridpur, and Rajshahi. The Sundarban Express (Dhaka–Khulna) has been rerouted via the bridge, cutting significant journey time compared to the previous route via Jamuna Bridge. New stations at Bhanga Junction (Faridpur) have emerged as important rail hubs.
Long-term impact: The complete Padma Rail Link project envisages connections all the way to Yeshwantpur (Jessore/Benapole) and eventually creates a potential cross-border rail link with India via Benapole–Petrapole. For Bangladeshi railway passengers, the Padma Rail Link represents the most significant expansion of the northwest–southwest connectivity since the opening of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge railway track in 1998.
For travellers: if you are heading from Dhaka to Khulna or Rajshahi route via the newer alignment, expect a noticeably different journey compared to older schedules — check the current timetable at eticket.railway.gov.bd for the most up-to-date departure times and route information.