2 hrs ago
India, Bangladesh Discuss Restarting Suspended Cross-Border Passenger Trains
Bangladesh and India are talking about restarting three trains that travel between the two countries.
The trains are called the Maitree Express, Bandhan Express and Mitali Express.
They stopped running after large protests and political turmoil in Bangladesh in 2024.
Bangladesh may also suggest a new train between Rajshahi and Kolkata.
It may ask for the Maitree Express to use the Padma Bridge instead of the Jamuna Bridge.
Railway officials from both countries will meet in Dhaka for two days.
Other government ministries must approve the plans before the trains can return.
If the countries agree, the services might restart next month.
Bangladesh and India will hold a two-day railway meeting in Dhaka on restarting three suspended passenger services.
The Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express trains have been suspended since political unrest in Bangladesh in July 2024.
Bangladesh may propose a new Rajshahi–Kolkata route and moving the Maitree Express onto the Padma Bridge route.
Officials said the services could resume next month if both countries agree and obtain required ministry clearances.
The talks come as Dhaka and New Delhi seek to revive engagement despite continuing disagreements over bilateral issues.
- Who
- Officials from Bangladesh Railway and India’s railway authorities, with representatives from relevant ministries.
- What
- They will discuss restarting the Maitree Express, Bandhan Express and Mitali Express, along with possible new or revised routes.
- Where
- The meeting will take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh; the trains connect cities in Bangladesh and India.
- When
- The two-day meeting is scheduled to begin Tuesday; the services could resume next month if approved.
- Why
- Bangladesh and India are seeking to resume passenger rail links and revive bilateral engagement after the services were suspended during Bangladesh’s 2024 political unrest.
Key facts
- Meeting
- A two-day Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting will be held in Dhaka.
- Suspended services
- Maitree Express, Bandhan Express and Mitali Express.
- Suspension began
- The services were suspended following violent protests in Bangladesh in July 2024.
- Existing routes
- Maitree connects Dhaka and Kolkata; Bandhan connects Khulna and Kolkata; Mitali previously connected Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri.
- Possible new route
- Bangladesh may propose a Rajshahi–Kolkata passenger train.
- Possible route change
- Bangladesh may propose routing Maitree Express through the Padma Bridge instead of the Jamuna Bridge.
- Approval requirement
- Foreign, home and other relevant ministries in both countries must provide clearance.
Quotes
A Bangladesh railway official familiar with the development
Bangladesh railway official familiar with the planned bilateral meeting
“We are set to discuss matters relating to re-launching of the railway services -- Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express -- in the IGRM (Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting) starting tomorrow”
telegraphindia.com
“If both sides agree, the Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express trains could resume operations by next month”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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