Bangladesh-India Passenger Train Service to Resume Soon

After a long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Bangladesh-India passenger train service will be resumed soon.

The Indian Home Ministry on Monday (April 11) approved the resumption of train services. The decision came after a series of meetings with various organizations in Bangladesh and India.

After the completion of the preparations, the passenger train will start running on this route again within a week.

An official of the country's home ministry confirmed the matter, saying the decision to launch Bangladesh-India train link was taken at a meeting with other stakeholders, including the railway department, last week. The meeting discussed security, health protection and overall preparedness.

Transit points including Chitpur, Gede and Haridashpur require clearance from the home ministry before train services can be started between the two countries. The route will also be opened to the public after other necessary preparations are made.

A senior Indian Home Ministry official said passengers had been demanding the reopening of the route for a long time after train services between the two countries were cut off due to the corona. On Independence Day (March 26), Bangladesh proposed to resume train services between the two countries. But it was not possible due to lack of preparation. Now it will be possible to launch the route within a week after getting clearance from the Home Ministry.

He said that the Bureau of Immigration, Indian Railways, Health Department and security agencies have been asked to make necessary preparations for this.

Between India and Bangladesh, Maitri Express operates on Dhaka-Kolkata route and Bondhan Express operates on Khulna-Kolkata route. The two trains were closed on March 15, 2020 to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.