Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday (Mar 27) jointly inaugurated Dhaka-New Jalpaiguri ‘Mitali Express’ passenger train service. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told media that the two premiers inaugurated the train service after a bilateral meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) at Tejgaon in the city. He said Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who is now in Dhaka on a two-day official visit, inaugurated the new train service.
The new passenger train will run on Dhaka cantonment-Chilahati-New Jalpaiguri route.
During the opening ceremony, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan was present at the PMO.
According to Bangladesh Railway, customs and immigration facilities will be provided at Dhaka cantonment and New Jalpaiguri railway stations. It said the passenger train will run from Dhaka cantonment on every Monday and Thursday and from New Jalpaiguri on every Sunday and Wednesday.
The nonstop ten-coach train service between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri will cover a distance of 595km. Through the launching of the new train service, it revived the rail connectivity that was in operation until 1965 between the countries.
The fare for each passenger on AC berth is Tk 4,905, for AC seat Tk 3,805 and for AC chair Tk 2,705 from Dhaka to New Jalpaiguri.
