Tk 130cr Chilahati Iconic Station Abandoned to Decay
Chilahati is located in Domar upazila of Nilphamari, a northern border district of Bangladesh. Across the border lies Haldibari in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, India. The Chilahati-Haldibari railway route, which was introduced during the British era, was closed after the India-Pakistan war in 1965. After a gap of 56 years, the route was reopened on August 1, 2021. Freight transportation began thereafter, followed by the launch of the Dhaka-Siliguri passenger train Mitali Express the following year.
Passengers travelling to India on the Mitali Express had to complete customs and immigration procedures at Dhaka Cantonment Railway Station. Following demands from people in the northern region, an initiative was taken to introduce immigration and customs facilities at Chilahati Railway Station. As part of the initiative, an iconic station building equipped with modern facilities was constructed at a cost of Tk 130 crore. However, following the closure of the land port, the building is now locked and lying unused.
In August 2025, the interim government announced the closure of Chilahati Land Port through a gazette notification, citing the lack of infrastructure. Since then, cross-border trade activities have remained suspended. As a result, various railway infrastructures, including the iconic building constructed at a huge cost, have largely become dysfunctional.
During a recent visit to the site, rows of ceiling fans were seen on the ground-floor verandah of the iconic building. They have not been in operation for a long time. Through the windows, packed chairs, tables and steel stools could be seen inside the rooms, all covered in dust. The rooms designated for bank and customs officials on the second floor were also empty.
The space allocated for a restaurant on the third floor was also lying vacant. The two-storey VIP guesthouse beside the building was locked as well. Similarly, the overbridge, passenger shelter and guardroom remained unused. Rust has developed at many points along the railway line extending up to the border.
Local residents said that when freight transportation was operational, workers, clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents and traders regularly gathered around Chilahati. This created local employment opportunities and contributed to the expansion of trade and commerce. Land prices in surrounding areas also increased. Many people had planned to invest after seeing the potential of port-centred businesses. However, the closure of the port has brought much of that potential to a halt.
Md Abdul Wahed Sarker, former president of the Nilphamari Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said stones could previously be transported to Saidpur through Chilahati at comparatively lower costs. Now, stones have to be transported by trucks via Panchagarh and Lalmonirhat, increasing transportation costs. He said ordinary people, businesses and the government are all suffering due to the closure of the port and that it should be reopened quickly in the interests of people in the northern region.
A large amount of money was spent not only on constructing the iconic station building but also on developing the Chilahati and Chilahati Border railway lines.
Md Abdur Rahim, project director of Bangladesh Railway’s Chilahati and Chilahati Border Railway Line Construction Project, said the initial estimated cost of constructing the railway line was Tk 80 crore. The cost later increased to Tk 128 crore. The construction work was completed in June 2024. Including railway wagons, roads, electricity and other associated sectors, the total expenditure amounted to Tk 200 crore. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Railway is also losing revenue due to the closure of the land port.
Chilahati Railway Station authorities said Bangladesh Railway used to earn between Tk 20 lakh and Tk 26 lakh from each consignment of a stone-carrying train, depending on the quantity of stones. As four to five freight trains operated each month, monthly revenue stood at around Tk 1 crore to Tk 1.5 crore.
Ismail Hossain, assistant station master at Chilahati Railway Station, said trains carrying mainly stones had been arriving from India since 2021. Four to five freight trains operated each month. From 2021 to 2024, Bangladesh Railway earned Tk 13 crore in revenue. Following the political change, both freight and passenger train services were suspended.
Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nayiruzzaman said the potential of the Chilahati Land Port had been brought to the attention of the relevant ministry. He said reopening the port was a matter for a decision at the highest level of the government. He expressed hope that the port would be reopened in the future.
Local traders and residents said reopening the Chilahati Land Port would restore momentum to trade and commerce not only in Nilphamari but across the northern region. At the same time, it could create new opportunities for trade with India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.
