Dhaka: Bangladesh could consider launching the 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 stated today. He made these remarks at a press briefing held at Rail Bhaban following the 38th Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting (IGRM) between Bangladesh and India.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Indian team leader and Additional Member (Traffic) of the Indian Railway Board Deepak Kumar Jha expressed India's willingness to operate the Maitree Express passenger train through the Padma Bridge. The IGRM was convened to discuss the resumption of cross-border railway services between the two nations, which includes Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express, and to make decisions on related issues.
A 15-member delegation from Bangladesh and a nine-member delegation from India participated in the bilateral meeting in Dhaka. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Ziaul Haque, while the Indian team was headed by Jha. Referring to the three previously operated cross-border passenger trains, Ziaul Haque mentioned that the Indian authorities had suspended these services two years ago. Bangladesh did not propose their resumption at the meeting.
He further stated that a final decision can be reached only after receiving a formal diplomatic proposal from India and obtaining approval from the highest level of the government. Discussions also included cross-border freight train operations and trade, focusing on removing limitations at interchange points, increasing operational efficiency, enhancing 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. Ziaul Haque noted that the Padma Bridge route is entirely new, and its capacity and various technical issues related to rerouting need to be reviewed. The additional secretary highlighted that 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.
During the meeting, neither side placed any agenda on resuming the Bandhan and Mitali Express services. Bangladesh did not suspend these trains and is therefore awaiting 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. Specifically, the issue of operating the Maitree Express through the Padma Bridge was part of the Indian agenda following a suggestion from the Bangladesh side.