Passengers suffer due to stoppage of 'Bandhan Express' for two months

Passengers have suffered due to suspension of train movement between India and Bangladesh for almost two months. Due to the student movement, train movement has been stopped since August 4. India does not want to run inter-country trains now. Multiple sources have confirmed that India expressed its reluctance against a letter from the Ministry of Railways.

According to related sources, since 2017, 'Bandhan Express (Khulna-Kolkata)' was running through Benapole port. Due to the student movement, trains have been suspended since August 4. It doesn't seem safe for train movement from Indian side. However, goods trains are allowed to run. Once the passenger train starts running again, the closed visa process will have to be started.

It is known from investigation that the import-export trade with India is active by rail and road through Benapole port. On July 19, during the anti-discrimination student movement, road travel and goods transport were running on a limited scale, but passenger and goods transport by rail was completely stopped. From July 25, import-export and passenger movement has started by road. Then on August 19, India gave permission to start goods trains against a letter from the management department of Bangladesh Railway. Bangladesh got no objection to cargo train movement that night. In view of that, even though the cargo train movement has started from September 4, the railway authority of Bangladesh has requested the Indian Railway Ministry to start the passenger train movement, but there is no response.

Sources in the Ministry of Railways say that a separate communication has been made with the Indian Railway Board. In this, the country's railways have expressed interest in running trains. But they don't want to run passenger trains now. Basically talking about security risk.

Benapole counter manager of Green Line Transport Rabin said that Maitri passenger bus service is running on Dhaka-Kolkata road. These buses are leaving regularly. A bus is going directly to Kolkata.

Mofizur Rahman Sajal, former president of Benapole Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agent Association was spoken to. Traders and passengers are suffering due to suspension of passenger trains.
He also said that the issue of cancellation of railway services has definitely affected the people of both countries. The Bandhan Express Khulna-Kolkata train has maintained its position as the most comfortable and cost-effective mode of transport and has gained popularity.”

Benapole International Railway Station Superintendent (Master) Md. Saiduzzaman said, 'Bandhan Express' ('Khulna-Kolkata') transports passengers by railway through Benapole port. On July 19, the anti-discrimination student movement ordered the suspension of rail passenger travel between the two countries due to security concerns. However, as the unstable situation in the country has passed, the railway service has started in full swing within the country. Now the Indian authorities have been requested to start the service on international routes but so far there has been no response.