In order to further strengthen public relations via Rail between India and Bangladesh, the Government of India and Bangladesh, after a few meetings, has decided to launch a new passenger train service Mitali Express with the newly restored Haldibari-Chilahati link. This is the third railway service between New Jalpaiguri (India) – Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Mitali Express, which was inaugurated by almost all Prime Ministers on March 27, 2021, marked by about Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Honorable Minister for Railways. of India and Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, Honorable Minister of Railways of Bangladesh, from Rail Bhavan, New Delhi today (i.e., June 1, 2022). Previously, this train could not be started due to Covid Pandemic restrictions.
Speaking at the event, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said Mitali Express, will be another milestone in expanding this friendship, in strengthening this relationship, in developing this relationship. Progress is accelerated by the tremendous warm friendship between the two nations at all levels. Many collaborative efforts have been made between the two trains. Very good time; the moment when we must take serious steps to strengthen our relationship between the two nations.
The Mitali Express train will run for two weeks (eg New Jalpaiguri at 11:45 hours on Sundays and Wednesdays and arrive in Dhaka at 22:30 hours and ex. Dhaka at 21:50 hours on Mondays and Thursdays and arrive in New Jalpaiguri at 07:15 hours.) and takes a distance of 595 kms from New Jalpaiguri to Dhaka (of which 61 km is part of the Indian subcontinent). The Indian Railways LHB trainer (as used in Maitree Express and Bandhan Express) will be used which includes 4 First AC, 4 AC Chair Car and 2 Power vehicles. There will be three classes – AC First (Cabin) Sleeper, AC First (Cabin) seat and AC Chair car, and fares will be USD 44, USD 33 and USD 22 respectively.
An additional passenger service, Mitali Express, will boost tourism in both countries as it connects Bangladesh with North Bengal and the northeastern region of India. This will also give Nepal access to Bangladeshi citizens via India by train.The new train adds to the two existing passenger train services, namely the Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express (five days a week) and the Kolkata-Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express (two days a week) between India and Bangladesh. More than two train services, suspended due to Covid Pandemic restrictions, have now been re-launched w.e.f. May 29, 2022.
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