National
Border station spruced for Kolkata-Dhaka train service

Gede (WB), July 28 (PTI): With the Kolkata-Dhaka train service expected to start in a couple of months, this sleepy border station has shot into prominence as the designated immigration and customs checkpoint on the Indian side.

"Initially, the train will carry 300 passengers. Once daily service is introduced, Rs 33 crore would be needed to create all the facilities for 600 passengers. For this, we have submitted a proposal to the Board and they are studying it," Chief Transportation Officer, G K Mohanti, told visiting reporters here.

The frequency of the service, train fares and composition of the train would be decided at a two-day meeting between representatives of the Indian and Bangladeshi governments at Kolkata from July 30, he said.

While the Indian side would be led by the Union Home Ministry's Additional Secretary (Border Management), E A Ahmed, the Bangladesh delegation would be led by the Additional Secretary of that country's Ministry of Communications.

Meanwhile, the single-platform Gede station, which handles a few suburban trains daily, has already received a facelift with the Eastern Railway spending Rs. 3 crore in creating customs and immigration facilities for some 300 passengers expected to avail of the services initially.

The platform is now fenced with wire mesh and adjacent to it, a 500 sq. metre-shed has been constructed for customs and immigration checks with a separate lounge to segregate international passengers from locals. Refreshments, drinking water and toilet facilties have also been created.