India-Bangladesh joined hands for the commencement of freight trains through the Haldibari-Chilahati rail route, on Sunday. The first Indian freight train loaded with stones, was shown the green signal from Damdim station in the northeast frontier to Bangladesh. 

After the 1947 partition, the trading lines between India and other countries were active till 1965 including the Haldibari- Chilahati link. The government had decided to renew the rail links of pre-1965 for commerce and accordingly, the 5th hyperlink of the Haldibari- Chilahati line was inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of both the countries.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the digital bilateral summit on 17th December 2020. The two countries had signed seven agreements in areas of hydrocarbon, supply of types of equipment, and agriculture, among others.

The rail link works as a glue to keep the two countries bonded by bilateral trade and communication. It will be an easy mode of transportation for the people of Assam, West Bengal, and Bangladesh. According to the sources, “The commodities that may be exported from India to Bangladesh employing this rail route are Stones and Boulders, Food Grain, Fresh Fruits, Chemical Fertilizer, Onion, Chilies, Garlic, Ginger, Fly Ash, Clay, Lime Stone, Wood & Timber, and many others. From Bangladesh to India all exportable commodities are permitted”.

The commencement of the new rail link will also approve the easy entry of communities in the primary ports, dry ports, and land borders which will improve the graphs of the financial areas.

Currently, two more railway links of Karimganj/ Mahisasan (India) – Shahbazpur (Bangladesh) and Agartala – Akhaura (Bangladesh) are under construction, and once it is ready, more states of India will be able to open the gates of trading. 

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