The cross border train service between Rajshahi, Bangladesh and Kolkata, India is set to resume after a 77-year hiatus. This announcement was made following a meeting between Prime minister Narendar Modi and her Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on Saturday last. This will be the 4th international train between India and Bangladesh after Kolkata-Dhaka ‘Maitree Express’, Kolkata-Khulna ‘Bandhan Express’ and New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka ‘Mitali Express’.

Among the 13 initiatives announced by both the Prime Ministers in a joint press address in Delhi, the revival of the Rajshahi-Kolkata train service stood out for the people of North Bangladesh and particularly for the people of Rajshahi Division.

Since the announcement, people from various professions in the North Bangladesh region believe that the new train service will not only facilitate travel, but also create a new communication link with India.

Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Khairuzzaman Liton said the Rajshahi-Kolkata train will enhance Rajshahi’s importance in communications with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, potentially turning Rajshahi into a hub for trade and commerce, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

Rajshahi-Kolkata train service was functional before the India-Pakistan Partition in 1947. The demand for a Rajshahi-Kolkata train has been long standing among the local population. Currently, hundreds of patients from Rajshahi travel to India for medical treatment daily, and many people visit West Bengal for family reasons. Traders involved in import-export also frequently travel to Kolkata and other states.The introduction of a direct train service will significantly make these journeys easy.

Businessmen, socio-political leaders and tour operators of the Rajshahi region expressed their gratitude towards the both Prime Ministers.

Navalsang Parmar(Dhaka)