India Bangladesh old rail links of 1965 prewar to be reopened

The Bangladesh PM Sheik Hasina announced that India Bangladesh rail links that were closed after 1965 war will be reopened. The announcement was made at the inaugural function of the first intercity train between Dhaka and Kurigam.

Rail Links between India and Bangladesh

• The first rail link between India and Bangladesh was opened in 2008. The first train was the Maitri Express that connected Dhaka and Kolkata.
• In 2017, the Bandhan Express was launched that connected Kolkata and Khulna
• In September 2019, the Governments of India and Bangladesh jointly laid foundation stone for the up gradation of missing tracks on Haldibari-Chilahati track that connects Bengal and Assam via Bangladesh. The track was a part of the broad-gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri during British rule.
• On the whole there are 4 rail links between India and Bangladesh.
• Two more rail tracks are to be revived

Till 1965, the trains from Bangladesh to Darjeeling via Siliguri were operated. However, the services were stopped after the war in 1965. These tracks are to be revived jointly by both the governments.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019