Maitree Express sets out on maiden trip

On the occassion of Bengalee New Year, the Maitree Express or 'Friendship Express' set out on its first trip between Bangladesh and India, resuming a direct train service between the two countries suspended 43 years ago.

Around 400 passengers were aboard the train decorated with garlands which left Dhaka's Cantonment Railway Station for Kolkata amid music and performances by traditional artists. Another train, flagged off by Pranab Mukherjee, India's Minister for External Affairs, left Kolkata at the same time.

"It`s a historic moment for both the nations," says Pranab Mukherjee after sounding a horn to start the journey of the train.

The new train service will initially run twice a week between Kolkata and Dhalka Cantonment in addition to the Kolkata-Dhaka bus launched last year. The six-coach train will leave Kolkata on Saturdays and Sundays at 7.10 am reaching Dhaka at 10.30 pm. From Dhaka, it will leave at 8.30 am and will reach Kolkata at 9 pm.

The train from Kolkata has a capacity of 368 passengers and the train from Bangaldesh can board 418 passengers.

With one-way tickets starting from USD 8 (to USD 20), the service is expected to strengthen ties between the people of both the nations.

Bangladesh, which became independent from Pakistan in 1971, was part of East Bengal before Indian partition in 1947 and its people share a common history, culture and language with those in the Indian state of West Bengal.

The train service will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries.