Rail link projects with Bangladesh to be expedited

NEW DELHI: With a view to increase people to people contact, railway officials of India and Bangladesh have decided to expedite rail link projects between the two countries.

"It was decided at the joint meeting of senior railway officials from India and Bangladesh to expedite the projects for opening rail links between the two countries," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The three-day meeting with Bangla railway delegation was held from January 14 to 16 here.

Currently, ongoing rail link projects between the two countries are Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India), Chilahati (Bangladesh)-Haldibari (India), Shahbazpur (Bangladesh)- Mahishashan (India) and Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India).

The officials also decided to examine the feasibility of establishing a rail link between Feni (Bangladesh) and Belonia (India).

Besides, the delegations from both sides exchanged notes on technical, operational and financial matters such as improvement in running of Maitree Express, streamlining of inter-country freight train operations, upgrading infrastructure and establishing more rail connectivity points to enhance people-to-people contact between the two countries.

This inter-ministerial bilateral meeting is held alternately in Dhaka and New Delhi and provides a forum for discussion for important railway related issues.

Both the delegations agreed to examine the feasibility of increasing the frequency of Maitree Express and introducing the system of return tickets.

A Working Group comprising government officials from both countries has been formed to look into the entire gamut of issues relating to financial, operational, commercial and security including passenger comfort associated with the running of Maitree Express.

The Working Group will submit its report soon. The Indian delegation was led by Devi Prasad Pande, Additional Member (Traffic), while the Bangladesh team was headed by Shah Zahirul Islam, Additional Director General (Operation).