Bangladesh, India to discuss resumption of stalled cross-border passenger train services
Bangladesh and India are expected to discuss this week the resumption of the cross-border passenger train services that have remained suspended since the violent unrest in 2024 that toppled prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Government, officials here said on Monday.
According to officials, Bangladesh Railway officials will hold a two-day meeting with their Indian counterparts in Dhaka from Tuesday to discuss restarting the Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express services and the possibility of introducing a new route.
“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,” a Bangladesh railway official familiar with the development said. The Maitree Express connects Dhaka with Kolkata, the Bandhan Express links Khulna with Kolkata, while the Mitali Express previously connected Dhaka with New Jalpaiguri. Both Kolkata and New Jalpaiguri are situated in West Bengal.
Bangladesh is expected to propose a new train route connecting Rajshahi in the country's northwest with Kolkata, said the official who wished to remain anonymous.
Bangladesh is also likely to propose that the Maitree Express operate between Dhaka and Kolkata via the newly constructed Padma Bridge instead of the Jamuna Bridge.
“If both sides agree, the Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express trains could resume operations by next month,” the official said, adding that Indian railway authorities were also interested in restarting the services. The official said both countries would need clearance from their respective foreign, home and other relevant ministries before the passenger services can be resumed or a new route introduced. Representatives of the concerned ministries are also expected to attend the two-day meeting. The final decision will be taken by the political leadership of the two countries, the official added.
The three train services were suspended following violent protests in Bangladesh in July 2024.
The Maitree and Bandhan Express services were initially cancelled from July 19 to August 6, 2024, but their suspension was later extended indefinitely, according to the Railway Ministry.
The Mitali Express made its last trip to Dhaka on July 17, 2024, but did not return, according to Indian Railway officials.
The political turmoil in Bangladesh that followed kept the services suspended even after the immediate unrest subsided.
Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, following weeks of deadly protests that toppled her Awami League Government.
An interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus subsequently took charge in Bangladesh, and relations with New Delhi remained strained, particularly over Hasina's presence in India.
Dhaka has since sought her extradition.
Freight train services between India and Bangladesh officially resumed in February last year after a nine-month suspension. However, the suspension of passenger train services continued.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won the general elections early this year and replaced the Yunus-led interim administration. However, several contentious issues have continued to weigh on bilateral ties.
The proposed resumption of the rail links comes as Dhaka and New Delhi seek to revive engagement despite their differences over some issues.
