Dhaka-Kolkata train service ahead of Ramadan

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Railway officials of Bangladesh and India in the city Monday agreed in principle on commissioning Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service ahead of Ramadan, in a follow-up to Sunday's cross-border trial run, reports UNB.
The agreement came at a meeting of senior officials of the two countries. ATKM Ismail, additional secretary (Railway Div) of the Communications Ministry and AE Ahmed, additional secretary of the Indian Home Ministry, led their respective delegations to the talks that would conclude today (Tuesday).
The first day's meeting also discussed issues of customs and immigration and security aspects.
Talking to reporters, Ismail said Bangladesh wants to start the train service ahead of Ramadan while the Indian side observed that it could be earlier.
Besides, he said, the meeting discussed probable points of customs and immigration on the route. The Indian side likes to designate Gede station for customs and immigration clearance of the passengers while Bangladesh wants to do it at the departing station.
The two sides also exchanged views on security aspects.
AE Ahmed said a number of requirements, including the security, are to be met "before the operationalisation of the train service."
A train on cross-border trial run, carrying a 31-member Indian official delegation, arrived in the capital Sunday to restore one of the missing links through introducing the Dhaka-Kolkata rail communications.
The Dhaka-Kolkata train service was snapped during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1965.