Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Saturday inspected Sreemangal and Bhanugach railway stations in Moulvibazar as part of preliminary preparations and a feasibility assessment for the proposed Sylhet–Jaflong railway line.

The minister arrived at Sreemangal Railway Station at around 11:00 am aboard the Sylhet-bound intercity Parabat Express, where he inspected the station’s infrastructure, passenger services, and operational arrangements.

During the visit, he held discussions with railway officials on the station’s operations, existing challenges, and potential areas for development.

The minister was accompanied by Railways Ministry Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam, Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary Md. Abdur Rahman, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md. Afzal Hossain, and other senior officials from the Railways Ministry and Bangladesh Railway.

Later, the Parabat Express made a brief stop at Bhanugach Railway Station in Kamalganj Upazila, where the minister and accompanying officials interacted with local residents and passengers. They raised concerns regarding railway services, station management, infrastructure, and passenger amenities.

The minister assured them that necessary measures would be taken to address the issues as quickly as possible.

Local leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) welcomed the minister with flowers at Bhanugach Railway Station.

According to official sources, the visit forms part of a broader feasibility assessment covering railway stations and tracks from Brahmanbaria Railway Station to Sylhet. Officials are collecting field-level information on infrastructure, safety, passenger services, and future development plans.

The proposed Sylhet–Jaflong railway line is expected to strengthen rail connectivity with the tourism-dependent Jaflong region while boosting transportation, trade, tourism, and overall economic activities across the Sylhet region.