Bangladesh, India to start direct train services
( 2001-07-08 14:05 ) (7 )

Bangladesh and India will start direct train services across the border on a trial basis from July 11, according to the Bangladesh Observer Sunday.

A passenger train from Darshana Railway Station under the southwestern Kushtia district is expected to leave on July 11 for Shialdah Junction in West Bengal capital Kolkata and reach the destination in the evening on the same day.

On its return journey, the train is scheduled to leave Kolkata the following morning and arrive at Dhaka in the afternoon.

Commercial operation of the passenger train is most likely after an appraisal of the trial operation.

Direct passenger train services between the two parts of the undivided Bengal under British India commenced way back in 1923.

The direct train services between India and the then East Pakistan was suspended in 1964 when Indo-Pak bilateral relations deteriorated over the protracted Kashmir dispute that triggered the 1965 War.

Analysts observed that the establishment of direct road link signaled a changing political and commercial scenario in the sub- continent.

Officials of the two countries started negotiation to resume train services following successful operation of bus services in the Dhaka-Kolkata route and the subsequent bus services between Dhaka and Tripura's capital Agartola.

Goods train services also resumed between the two next-door neighbors a few months ago.

Officials of the two countries are optimistic about the successful passenger train services between Bangladesh and India.