Bangladesh proposes Rajshahi-Kolkata train as India talks resume on cross-border passenger services
Bangladesh and India are set to discuss the possible resumption of cross-border passenger train services during a two-day Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting (IGRM) beginning in Dhaka on Tuesday. The discussions will focus on restarting the Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express services, which have remained suspended since the political unrest in Bangladesh in 2024.
The suspension followed the student-led protests and political unrest that escalated in July 2024. The Maitree Express was suspended on July 16, while the three international passenger services were subsequently halted from July 19. The services did not resume even after the immediate unrest subsided.
The unrest eventually led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Hasina left Bangladesh for India on August 5, 2024, after weeks of protests. An interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus subsequently took charge, while relations between Dhaka and New Delhi remained strained over several issues, including Hasina’s continued presence in India.
Against this backdrop, the cross-border passenger rail services remained suspended. Maitree Express had connected Dhaka with Kolkata, Bandhan Express linked Khulna with Kolkata, and Mitali Express operated between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
Freight railway operations between the two countries later resumed, but passenger services remained stalled. The two governments are now returning to formal discussions on restoring the passenger links through the IGRM. The previous IGRM was held in New Delhi from January 20 to 22, 2025, while the latest meeting in Dhaka had been delayed several times.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Bangladesh is expected to propose a new passenger train connecting Rajshahi with Kolkata. Dhaka is also likely to propose operating the Maitree Express between Dhaka and Kolkata through the Padma Bridge instead of its earlier route through the Jamuna Bridge.
Bangladesh Railway officials said Indian railway authorities are also interested in restoring the three suspended services. If the two sides reach an agreement, the trains could resume operations as early as next month. However, railway-level agreement alone will not be sufficient, as the proposals will also require clearance from the relevant foreign, home and other ministries of both countries.
The final decision on restarting the services will be taken at the political level, according to officials. The proposed talks therefore mark a step towards restoring passenger rail connectivity between the two countries after more than two years of suspension.
with inputs from PTI
