August 2, 2021
2 mins read

Indo-Bangla Chilahati-Haldibari rail link resumes after 56 years

As many as 7 rail links were operational after the partition in 1947 till 1965, when after the India-Pakistan war, the railway service between the two countries was closed…reports Asian Lite News.

After 56 years, India and Bangladeshi freight trains have restarted operations on the Chilahati-Haldibari route, with the first stone-laden freight train from India’s Damdim station entering Bangladesh on Sunday.

This rail link was relaunched as the fifth rail link between India and Bangladesh.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Bangladesh on March 26-27 to join celebrations of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence, the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, he and his Bangladesh counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, had pledged to restore all pre-1965 rail links between the two neighbouring countries.

As a result, both governments took up the task of restoring the rail links to strengthen their rail connectivity and bilateral trade.

Even after the Partition, rail traffic was still running on this route. At that time, passenger and freight trains used to run on this route between India and then East Pakistan.

As many as 7 rail links were operational after the partition in 1947 till 1965, when after the India-Pakistan war, the railway service between the two countries was closed.

Following the restoration, Sheikh Hasina and Modi jointly inaugurated the Chilahati (Bangladesh)-Haldibari (India) rail link during the PM level virtual bilateral summit on December 17, 2020.

They also jointly inaugurated the Mitali Express train from Dhaka to New Jalpaiguri. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, its running was deferred for the time being.

The Sheikh Hasina government has taken the project, costing 80, 16, 94,000 takas, of constructing a 6.724 km broad gauge railway from Chilahati railway station to the border and construction of 2.36 km loop line and other infrastructure.

At present, there are four operational rail links between Bangladesh and India – Benapole (Bangladesh)-Petrapole (India), Darshana (Bangladesh)-Gede (India), Rohanpur (Bangladesh)-Singhabad (India), and Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India).

ALSO READ-Wi-Fi available at all 15 railway stations in Valley

READ MORE-China closes ports, railways as Typhoon In-Fa reaches Zhejiang

Previous Story

A strong India-UAE partnership is possible in Western Indian Ocean

Next Story

India takes over UNSC presidency

Latest from -Top News

Modi Eyes Trade Deals in Maldives

PM Modi will arrive in Maldives on July 25 which would be the second and final leg of his two-nation visit, following the visit to the United Kingdom, starting Wednesday….reports Asian Lite

Russia Strikes Back at EU

The Council of the European Union approved the 17th and 18th packages of sanctions on Russia on May 20 and July 18…reports Asian Lite News Russia has significantly expanded its entry ban

PM Modi Due in UK

PM Modi’s visit to the UK, scheduled for July 23–24, comes at the invitation of British counterpart Keir Starmer and will be his fourth trip to the country….reports Asian Lite News Prime

Victory First, Then Peace?

Katz stressed the importance of meeting the war’s goals as set, primarily the return of all Israeli hostages and the surrender of Hamas….reports Asian Lite News Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said

US Brings Up Old Claim, India Pushes Back

US Raises Trump’s India-Pakistan Claim at UN; India Reaffirms Bilateral Stand…reports Asian Lite News The US brought President Trump’s May claim of resolving the India-Pakistan conflict to the Security Council, but New
Go toTop