Mumbai, Sept. 11 -- India and Bangladesh began a three-day Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting (IGRM) in Dhaka to discuss resuming passenger train services that were suspended in mid 2024 amid civil unrest, while freight services have continued to operate without disruption. Bangladesh Railway's Additional Director General (Operations), Mohammad Nazmul Islam, noted that cross-border passenger connections were suspended in August 2024 and that Indian freight trains continued to run unhindered. The meeting brings together senior officials from both railways and ministry representatives to consider operational and administrative matters.
The three affected passenger trains are the Maitree Express between Dhaka Cantonment and Chitpur, Kolkata, the Bandhan Express linking Khulna and Kolkata, and the Mitali Express running between Dhaka Cantonment and New Jalpaiguri. The Indian side is represented by the Member (Traffic) of the Railway Board, while Bangladesh Railway has dispatched high-ranking officials and ministry delegates. Decisions on when services will resume and which specific services will restart are to be taken after the meeting, with implementation steps determined by its outcomes.
The IGRM agenda includes financial settlements and dues, accounting of train movements across the border, annual balancing of accounts, efforts to improve operational efficiency, rolling stock management and infrastructure development. Bangladesh has formally proposed not only restarting existing services but also launching a new passenger route linking Rajshahi with Kolkata. Dhaka is also expected to propose rerouting the Maitree Express via the recently completed Padma Bridge instead of the Jamuna Bridge route, together with proposals for night-time operations and dedicated parcel booking services to boost bilateral trade and passenger convenience.
With India having resumed issuing tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens on 27 June, public momentum has grown for the suspended trains to return to service, making restoration a key agenda item at the talks. India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, indicated that positive news about the Maitree Express may come soon. The IGRM outcomes will determine the timetable for resumption and any further operational adjustments as officials seek to restore cross-border passenger connectivity while maintaining uninterrupted freight movements.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.