Container train from Kolkata enters Bangladesh

A trial run of the container train coming from Kolkata is scheduled to start for Dhaka Wednesday morning. The freight train from India entered into Bangladesh Tuesday and reached Darshana International Railway Station in Chuadanga.

While passenger and goods trains run between the two countries, this is the first time that a container service will begin.

The trial run of the container train was flagged off Tuesday from Majerhat station of Kolkata, said a press release issued by Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

 “This (trial run) is pursuant to the signing of an MoU between the Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) and Container Company of Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) for starting container services between the two countries during the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in April 2017,” said the press release.

Transportation of goods through container trains is expected to be a faster and cheaper option for both India and Bangladesh, it added.

According to a Indian NDTV report, the Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor) under the Indian railway ministry will handle the logistics of the container service.

Loaded with over 1,100 tonnes of animal feed, the train will travel 300km through Sealdah, Naihati, Ranaghat and Gede in India, and Darsana and Ishwardi in Bangladesh before reaching Bangabandhu West station, 117km from Dhaka.

Exporters’ forums had long been lobbying for container trains as they could save time and trade costs significantly apart from making trade safer and more organised.

Container trains are usually used to ferry machine parts, chemicals, automobiles and consumer durables that involve a shorter transit time.

If successful, the service would drastically reduce the transportation time, NDTV reports citing senior officials.