Bangladesh Railway (BR) has taken a move to increase passenger capacity of and facilities on Dhaka-Kolkata Moitree Express, the country's first inter-country train service connecting the neighbouring Indian state.
Officials said the train, which runs twice a week from both sides, will now have three more new coaches and full-fledged air-condition facility to provide the commuters full comfort in their long journey.
They said the Moitree Express operates with seven coaches including two non-AC coaches and will be upgraded with three more new coaches turning the entire train air-conditioned.
The BR launched the Dhaka-Kolkata Moitree Express to connect West Bengal's capital Kolkata. This is the only railway link between the cities of the two countries and has been revived after being closed for 43 years.
Sources said the BR took the decision to increase the passenger capacity due to popularity of the train service that earns Tk 700 million yearly.
"This is the only passenger train of BR which runs on profit," said an official involved with the train service.
He said popularity of the Moitree train is increasing due to efforts to remove travel and immigration-related hazards including visa.
The initial 13-hour long journey of Moitree train has been reduced to 10 easing immigration-related formalities at the border of Darsana and Gede.
BR officials said there is now a demand to launch second Moitree Express connecting Kolkata with Khulna which is now under discussion between the two concerned committees.
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