Over four years after its suspension due to the pandemic, the train service between Chattogram and Dohazari has yet to resume. The prolonged closure continues to exacerbate the struggles of commuters and traders while depriving Bangladesh Railway (BR) of significant revenue.

Syed Nur Hossen, a resident near the Dohazari railway kitchen market, said, "The train service allowed us to travel affordably. Its closure has left us with costly and challenging travel options."

Before its suspension, the route was served by two pairs of local trains, including freight coaches, which carried over 4,000 passengers daily, according to BR's 2019 data. The route was particularly vital for low-income individuals and small-scale traders.

Vegetable traders from areas like Chandanish depended on the freight carriages to transport their goods to Chattogram at a low cost. Now, with the service unavailable, transportation costs have surged, reducing their profits.

Before its suspension, the route was served by two pairs of local trains, including freight coaches, which carried over 4,000 passengers daily.

Monjurul Islam, a trader from Riaj Uddin Bazar, said, "Transporting vegetables by train was much cheaper. Its closure has severely impacted our earnings."

BR officials had previously promised to resume the train service following the renovation of the Kalurghat Bridge. Despite the bridge's renovation being completed in October last year, the trains remain idle.

Kamal Uddin, general secretary of the Train Passengers Welfare Council, said, "We have repeatedly requested the railway to reinstate this service, but no action has been taken."

BR officials attribute the delay to a shortage of coaches and locomotives.

ABM Kamruzzaman, divisional railway manager for the Chattogram division, said, "The crisis has forced us to suspend several short-distance services. We are instead focusing on increasing trips on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar special train to reduce commuter hardships."