The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The long-awaited train service on Dhaka-Kolkata route, connecting the two SAARC countries by rail, formally kicks off Monday, on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year, after long 43 years.

The first train leaves Dhaka Cantonment station at 8:30 am tomorrow, while another train from Kolkata is scheduled to arrive at the Dhaka Cantonment station at 8:30 pm the same day. The two close neighbours are now ready to receive and welcome the guests and passengers of the inaugural trains. Government officials, distinguished personalities and journalists will be among the passengers of the first trains.

Initially, two trains will run on the Dhaka-Kolkata route, on Saturdays and Sundays every week. Each train will have facility for some 417 passengers in seven compartments.

Some 304 tickets for the inaugural Kolkata-bound train service have already been sold out at Dhaka's Kamalapur railway station till 12pm Sunday and the remaining tickets will hopefully be sold out, said Railway Station Manager Abu Saeed Ahmed.

All necessary arrangements, including security and immigration measures, have been completed ahead of the formal run of Dhaka-Kolkata "Moitree Express" train between the two neighbouring countries.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has made preparations to welcome the guests who will come from Kolkata in the inaugural run of the "Moitree Express" train. Guests will be received through dance, songs and sprinkling of petals at the Dhaka Cantonment station. The train communication between Dhaka and Kolkata was suspended in March 1965 following the war between India and Pakistan when Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan) was a part of Pakistan. Train fares have been fixed at between $8 and $20 depending on the classes for the 538km journey -- 418km in Bangladesh and 120km in India. Fares for each sleeping berth is $20, AC chair coach $12 and non-AC chair coach $8.

Darshana in Chuadanga district will be the immigration checkpoint for passengers from India, while Dhaka Cantonment station for the outbound passengers.

On April 10, Bangladesh and India signed an agreement clearing the way for cross-border run of trains on the Dhaka-Kolkata route from Pahela Baishakh.

Communications Secretary Dr Mahbubur Rahman and Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarti inked the deal on behalf their respective governments.