India, Bangladesh agree on passenger train service

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 8. India and Bangladesh today formally agreed to introduce a fully reserved passenger train service between Sealdah (Kolkata) and Bangabandhu Setu East in Bangladesh.

According to formal minutes of agreement signed in this regard by the high-level delegations of the two countries here, the tri- weekly service would eventually lead to linking Kolkata and Dhaka.

Initially, the service, seen as a milestone, will be between Sealdah and Bangabandhu Setu East via Gede-Darsana. It is proposed that the service would be extended to Joydevpur on completion of the construction of the rail link between Bangabandhu Setu and Kamlapur (Dhaka) station.

The frequency of the service will be reviewed within three months of its commencement. Both the countries are to contribute equally to the rolling stocks and locomotives required for operating this service.

The two delegations also agreed on running ``special trial trains'' for carrying out on-the-spot assessment of the facilities required for running the passenger train.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr. N. M. Khurshid Anower, Additional Director-General (Operations) Bangladesh Railways, while Mr. S. S. Bhandari, Additional Member Traffic, Railway Board, headed the Indian side.

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