Maitree Express relaunch through Padma Bridge may be considered in India's formal proposal
The IGRM was held to discuss the resumption of cross-border railway services between the two countries, including Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express, and to take decisions on related issues.
Bangladesh could consider launching Maitree Express, the Bangladesh-India passenger train service, through the Padma Bridge if India makes a formal proposal, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Md Ziaul Haque said today.
He made the remarks at a press briefing held at Rail Bhaban after the 38th Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting (IGRM) between Bangladesh and India.
Indian team leader and Additional Member (Traffic) of the Indian Railway Board Deepak Kumar Jha said India is willing to launch the Maitree Express passenger train through the Padma Bridge.
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The IGRM was held to discuss the resumption of cross-border railway services between the two countries, including Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express, and to take decisions on related issues.
A 15-member Bangladesh delegation and a nine-member Indian delegation attended the bilateral meeting in Dhaka. Ziaul Haque led the Bangladesh delegation, while Jha led the Indian team.
Referring to the three previously operated cross-border passenger trains, Ziaul Haque said the Indian authorities had suspended the services two years ago. Bangladesh did not place any agenda for their resumption at the meeting.
He added that a final decision can be taken only after receiving a formal diplomatic proposal from India and obtaining approval from the highest level of the government.
Ziaul Haque said discussions also covered cross-border freight train operations and trade, including removing limitations at interchange points, increasing operational efficiency and interchange-point capacity, reducing wagon hire charges, cutting turnaround time and replacing old wagons with new ones.
India proposed rerouting the Maitree Express through the newly constructed Padma Bridge, he said, adding that the Padma Bridge route is entirely new and its capacity and various technical issues related to rerouting need to be reviewed.
"Operating the train through the Padma Bridge would save passengers two to three hours, but fare adjustment would also have to be considered due to the change in distance," he noted.
The additional secretary said neither side had placed any agenda on resuming the Bandhan and Mitali Express services at this meeting. Bangladesh did not suspend these trains and is therefore waiting for a response or formal proposal from India.
Deepak Kumar Jha said several important issues concerning train operations and passenger train services between the two countries were discussed at the joint meeting.
In particular, he said, the issue of operating the Maitree Express through the Padma Bridge was part of the Indian agenda following a suggestion from the Bangladesh side.
