Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
A trans-border passenger train service connecting Dhaka and the Indian city of Siliguri would be launched in March next year.
The decision was finalised during a meeting between Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan and Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswamy on Monday, reports bdnews24.com citing a statement.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will jointly inaugurate the train service in December via video conference.
Currently, the South Asian neighbours only have one trans-border passenger train, the Maitree Express, in operation, connecting Kolkata to Dhaka and Khulna.
Around 20 km from the Bangladesh border, Siliguri is the largest city in the northeastern part of West Bengal.
Bangladeshis travelling to Darjeeling or Sikkim must go through Siliguri to reach their destination. While bus services from Dhaka to Siliguri are currently available, the establishment of rail links between the cities is likely to boost travel further.