Syed Shemul Parvez :
Coronavirus infections have fallen much. That’s why the restrictions have already been withdrawn by the government.
Even all educational institutions resumed and public transports are almost normal, but the railway communication has remained suspended.
According to the officials of the Ministry of Railways, all the trains bound for India from Bangladesh are ready for operation. Now it depends on the decision of the India Government.
Bangladesh Railways officials said that an official letter would be sent to the Indian Ministry of Railways this week seeking consent.
According to the sources of Railways Ministry, on April 14, 2008, on the first day of the Bengali New Year, the ‘Maitri Express’ started its journey as a symbol of friendship between Bangladesh and India.
The trip was inaugurated by the former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. This train journey between the two countries started after 43 years.
On the Dhaka-Kolkata section, eight trains of Maitri Express used to come and return every week. Of these, four are from Bangladesh and four from India.
The fully air-conditioned Maitri Express leaves Dhaka three days a week. Maitri would leave Dhaka Cantonment Railway Station on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. And from Kolkata to Dhaka on Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
On November 9, 2017, the ‘Bondhan Express’ started running on the Khulna-Kolkata section. The train service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kolkata Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee via video conference.
It is learned that Maitri and Bondhan Express were stopped at the time of the onset of the epidemic coronavirus in Bangladesh. Mitali, which was inaugurated with the panic of corona infection, could not start the journey. All in all, the train service between Bangladesh and India has remained in operative for two consecutive years.
The Ministry of Railways has not yet confirmed when it could start. Meanwhile, officials say the process is set to begin soon.
In this case, the Ministry of Railways will send a letter to the Government of India by March 1 asking for information on the situation in Kolkata for the operation of trains between the two countries.
In this context, the Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Md. Humayun Kabir told the media saying that “Coronavirus infection is very normal now. Although the restrictions have been withdrawn from our side, we also have to look at the situation in India. We need their permission.
“However, all preparations are being ready for a train service with India. Bangladesh will soon send a letter to the Indian Ministry of Railways in this regard.
