India-Bangladesh Rail Link

Tags: National International News

Passenger train services between India and Bangladesh resumed, Bandhan Express departed from Kolkata for Khulna and Maitree Express started from Dhaka to Kolkata.

• The Bandhan Express was resumed rail link between Kolkata and the industrial hub of Khulna.

• Khulna is the third-largest city of Bangladesh.

• In 1965, the Barisal Express was introduced on this route, which was stopped due to the Indo-Pakistani War.

• The government of India along with the Bangladesh government restarted that with Bandhan express in 2017.

• Bandhan Express was the second train to be flagged off after the introduction of Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment in April 2008.

• It covers the distance between Kolkata and Khulna via Petrapole and Benapole border route to meet the demands of the people of both the countries.

• Other works towards strengthening the rail link 

• In August 2021, the two sides started regular movement of freight trains between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh.

• The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link between India and erstwhile East Pakistan was also operational till 1965 which was closed due to war.

• It was part of the broad gauge main road from Kolkata to Siliguri at the time of partition.

• At least 20 freight trains per month are planned to cross the border on this link by both sides.