BD-India trains may resume in October

Passenger train services between Bangladesh and India, suspended for more than two years, may resume in October, with an official announcement expected soon.

According to The Indian Express, the Maitree Express, Bandhan Express and Mitali Express could resume operations in October after remaining suspended since the political turmoil in 2024.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said on Tuesday that discussions between the two countries were underway to resume passenger train services and that a specific date could be announced soon.

“We hope to be able to give a fixed date very soon,” he said.

Trivedi made the remarks while speaking to journalists after paying a courtesy call on Railways and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

He said passenger trains were an affordable and safe mode of transport for ordinary people.

“We travel by air now, which is a different class. There is no problem with that. But ordinary people travel by road and rail,” he said.

“I was also a railway minister. Railways are for ordinary people. It is a safe and affordable mode of transportation for them,” he added.

Referring to the importance of rail services for low-income passengers, Trivedi recalled India’s Garib Rath train service.

He said freight train services between the two countries had continued despite the suspension of passenger trains and that freight traffic had almost doubled.

“Whatever the reason may be, passenger rail services between the two countries were suspended. But freight trains did not stop. I have heard that freight traffic has almost doubled. That is very good news. It means trade is continuing,” he said.

Trivedi said the two countries were also discussing ways to expand bilateral trade and improve connectivity.

“And it seems that very soon we will be able to give some good news about the Maitree Express,” he said, adding that discussions were still underway to finalise a date.

Earlier, Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the meeting discussed ongoing cooperation between Bangladesh and India, particularly in railways, roads and land ports.

“There are a number of ongoing activities between the ministries under my responsibility and neighbouring India. There is a need to accelerate their progress,” he said.

The minister said freight train services were operating and their capacity had increased. He added that both sides were positively considering the resumption of passenger train services.

Asked about the suspension, Alam said the services had been halted due to security concerns on the Indian side.