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The much awaited Khulna-Kolkata direct train service ‘Bandhan Express’ is set to launch on November 9 (Thursday) in a bid to ease communication between India and Bangladesh.
The new train service between Khulna and Kolkata would start carrying passengers from November 16 after formal inauguration by the prime ministers of the two neighbouring countries, Bangladesh Railway (BR) sources told BSS today (Tuesday).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the train service on a video conference at 11:30am (Bangladesh time) and 11:00am (Indian time).
The train's maiden voyage will start from Kolkata.
According to Bandhan Express schedule, the train will leave Kolkata Station at 11:00am (Indian time) on the day and reach Khulna within only four and a half hours travelling around 177 kilometres.
The two prime ministers would also inaugurate 'End to End' immigration service of the Moitree Train plying between Dhaka (cantonment) and Kolkata along with opening of second Bhairab and second Titash railway bridges, the sources said.
Railways Minister M Muzibul Haque and officials concerned would be present at Bhairab during the bridge opening ceremony, the sources added.