The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh and India have agreed to whistle-start the much-awaited Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year.

The decision was taken at a bilateral meeting between Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader and Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty at the Communications Ministry.

During the meeting, Chak-ravarty urged the Bangladesh government to also start container rail service between the two countries after the launching of the passenger train service.

Communications Secretary Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, foreign secretary Md Towhid Hossain and additional secretary of the Communications Ministry ATK Ismail were present at the meeting.

Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty told newsmen that they discussed bilateral issues at the meeting.

"The Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service would be launched from Pahela Baishakh--there is no doubt about it. Though some infrastructures are yet to be completed, they would be ready within a short period," Chakravarty said.

Responding to a query, he said fencing boxes on no man's land would not create any problem for starting off the rail communications.

The High Commissioner hoped that the relationship between the two countries would strengthen after the launching of the train service connecting the capitals of Bangladesh and the West Bengal of India.

Communications Secretary Mahbubur Rahman told newsmen that a three-day bilateral talk between the two countries would start on April 1 when the authorities of both the governments would sign the agreement on the Dhaka-Kolkata train service.

"Some infrastructures regarding the launching of the train service between two countries would be completed within a short time," he adding.

He further said Bangladesh would also construct-fencing boxes near zero line and it would be started at an appropriate time.

The two-way Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train serving would run once a week, he informed.