Efforts to resume Bangladesh-India train services after 2-year suspension

Efforts are underway to resume the suspended Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express trains between Bangladesh and India. The matter will be discussed at the annual meeting between the railway authorities of the two countries. The two-day meeting, beginning Tuesday in Dhaka, is expected to yield a decision on resuming the three train services.

Bangladesh Railway sources said if both sides agree, the suspended inter-country train services could resume from next month. Bangladesh will also propose introducing a new passenger train on the Rajshahi-Kolkata route at the same meeting. Additionally, Bangladesh Railway will express interest in operating the Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express via the Padma Bridge.

The meeting between the railway authorities of the two countries is known as the Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting (IGRM). Bangladesh Railway said the agenda for discussions with the Indian authorities for the meeting at Dhaka's Rail Bhaban have already been finalised.

Bangladesh Railway officials said the Indian Railways is also interested in resuming the Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express services. However, resuming the three trains requires not just the consent of the railway authorities, but also the opinions of the foreign and home ministries and other relevant departments of both countries. Representatives from these ministries will also attend the meeting on Tuesday.

Officials said the final decision on inter-country train services will come from the political level.

The IGRM meeting is held alternately in Bangladesh and India every year. The last meeting was held in New Delhi from January 20-22 last year. After several date changes, the meeting is now being held in Dhaka.

Earlier, during the student-public movement in July 2024, inter-country train services were affected. On July 16, the Maitree Express was suspended. Later, from July 19, all three trains—Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali—were stopped.

Although the political situation in Bangladesh later changed, passenger train services between India and Bangladesh never returned to normal. After a long hiatus, formal discussions on resuming the trains are now taking place through the IGRM meeting.

The Maitree Express currently runs between Dhaka and Kolkata. The Bandhan Express connects Khulna and Kolkata, while the Mitali Express runs between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri. Besides resuming these trains, if the proposal for a new train on the Rajshahi-Kolkata route is implemented, it would further expand inter-country rail connectivity, officials said.