Bangladesh Railway today ran the first train on the newly constructed Bhanga-Mawa rail line through the Padma Bridge today.

The special train, run on a trial basis, carried Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan and several other local lawmakers, political leaders and activists, and journalists.

The train left Bhanga Station at 1:22pm, reports our staff reporter, who was on the train.

Photo: Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary

When it started to move towards the Padma Bridge, patriotic songs were being played inside.

It entered the lower deck of the bridge at a very slow speed at 2:48pm.

When the train was passing the Padma Station at Janjira at 2:35pm, workers welcomed the train waving mini flags of Bangladesh and China.

The train reached Mawa Station at 3:18pm.