Second Maitree Express awaits inauguration
UNB
KHULNA: The second Maitree Express on Khulna-Benapole-Kolkata route is expected to be launched by the end of January to expand connectivity between India and Bangladesh, reports UNB.
Sources at the Benapole Railway Station said the necessary construction works, including that of customs, immigration and railway stations, for the new service is going on in full swing.
Talking to UNB, many rail users expressed their satisfaction and hoped that it will relieve the India-bound passengers of unnecessary hassles and cut short the time for them to reach Kolkata.
It is the second Maitree train between Bangladesh and India. Another one is running on Dhaka-Dharshona-Agartola route. Officials at Bangladesh Railway said the Khulna-Benapole-Kolkata rail route was active before Bangladeshs independence. Governments of the two neighbouring countries took the decision to resume train services the route on December last. Primarily, the train will travel to Khulna via Benapole once a week from Koltala. The number of trains will be increased later depending on the passengers response.
Customs and immigration authorities will maintain all the formalities, including passports and baggage checking at Benapole and Petrapole.
Sunita Baire, an India-bound passenger, said she has relatives in India and she needs to go to India to visit them occasionally apart from her medical treatment. Her relatives, she said, also come to Bangladesh from India. Sometimes they have to suffer from hassles during blockade or hartal.
She hoped that the launching of the train service would reduce the suffering. Iqbal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Benapole Immigration, said the communication between two countries will be easier following the launching of the train. Immigration and customs police at Benapole Rail Station will check passports and baggage of the passengers. Birbal Mandal, assistant Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Railway, said it cost them around Tk 2.25 lakh for the necessary construction works and contractors are trying hard to finish the work in time. Mintu Roy, Benapole Railway station master, said the repair works on different risky level-crossings on the route and infrastructure development works have almost been completed.
The two governments are planning to inaugurate the train service by this month, he added. The first Maitree Express between the two countries was revived on April 14, 2008.
