India proposes fourth train service on Dhaka-Kolkata route

India has formally proposed to operate fourth more inter-country train services from Dhaka to Kolkata as three railway services -- Maitri Express, Bandhan Express and Mitali Express -- are still operating between Bangladesh and India.

Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Shri Vikram K. Doraiswami placed the proposal during a meeting with Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujon at the latter’s office in Dhaka on Monday, reports BSS.

"Presently three train services like Moitri, Bandhan and Mitali Express are in operation between Bangladesh and India. One more train service may be operated between Dhaka-Kolkata via Darshana considering the demand of the passengers on this route," said the Indian envoy.

During the discussion, the railway minister urged the Indian envoy to complete the Indian part railway line construction from Banglabandha as early as possible as neighbouring India is yet to set the railway connectivity with the newly-constructed railway line from Panchagarh to Banglabandha.

Sujon also has requested the Indian high commissioner to extend the Sirajganj-Bogura railway line up to Shantahar as the railway line is being constructed with Indian financial assistance.

They also discussed elaborately the problems that surfaced in the construction of the Khulna-Mongla rail lines and the third and fourth rail lines from Dhaka to Tongi constructed with Indian financial assistance.

Modernisation of Benapole station, ICD construction in Sirajganj, construction of a modern coach manufacturing factory in Sayedpur and impart training of Bangladeshi Assistant Locomotives in India also got attention during the discussion.

The railway minister has also expressed interest to import high-quality tourist coaches from India aiming to operate these coaches between Dhaka to Cox's Bazar.

Railway Secretary Dr M Humayun Kabir, Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Railway Direndranath Majumder, Additional Director General M Manjurul Alam Chowdhury, and Additional DG (operation) Sarder Shahadat Hossen, among others, were present during the meeting.