Passenger train connectivity between India and Bangladesh took a step forward with the railway ministers of the two countries virtually flagging off New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka Mitali Express on Wednesday, spokesperson of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Sabyasachi De said.

The train made its inaugural run from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in West Bengal.

The two countries already operate Maitree and Bandhan express trains connecting Kolkata with Dhaka and Khulna respectively.

This is the third passenger train between the two nations that was flagged off from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi today.

Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw called the Mitali Express “yet another milestone” in bolstering the friendship between the two nations.

He said “the relationship between India and Bangladesh is based upon our shared heritage, our shared present and our shared future. The development that we have in both the countries is today accelerated in a very big way by the warm friendship between the two nations at all levels”.

Railways Minister of Bangladesh Mohammad Nurul Islam Sujon while speaking on the occasion remembered the supreme sacrifice of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan).

The Minister also mentioned about his government’s plan to convert all railway tracks to broad gauge to be at par with neighbouring countries.

The bi-weekly service will run as a day train from New Jalpaiguri starting at 11.45 am IST on Sundays and Wednesdays, while it will be an overnight service from Dhaka commencing journey from there at 9.15 pm Bangladesh Standard Time on Mondays and Thursdays, he said.

The fully air-conditioned train consists of four chair cars and four sleeper coaches, Mr De said.

The general manager of NFR, Anshul Gupta, who was present at New Jalpaiguri station for the inaugural run of the international service, said that the train connectivity will provide more opportunities for tourism and trade between Bangladesh and northern West Bengal, blessed with several destinations in the Darjeeling Hills and forests and tea gardens in Dooars.

Local MP Jayanta Roy, who attended the programme, said that the service fulfils a long-standing demand of those associated with the travel trade.

Passengers travelling on the inaugural service said that the train connectivity will further strengthen cultural and social ties between the people of the two countries, apart from boosting tourism.

The train will cover a distance of 595 km between New Jalpaiguri and Dhaka with 69 km of track length being in India and the rest in the neighbouring country.

Image source: ANI