Bangladesh-India train service
Sunday, 15 July 2007
IT is noteworthy that the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and India has been gaining a new momentum. The resumption of train services between the two neighbouring countries after long 36 years is particularly a very welcome development. The trial-run of the train services between the two countries has been completed without trouble. And it is now expected that the full-fledged train service will begin before the month of Ramadan.
Although the authorities of the two countries are yet to come to an understanding about what would be the two-way fares and, how many days these two train services will operate each week or how the problem of smuggling problem on this route will be addressed etc., both sides are reportedly hopeful about reaching an accord on all these matters at the soonest.
Most people would like to see such an accord to come at the earliest to facilitate the running of train services between the two countries. Many passengers who are having not pleasant experiences while availing the bus services on different routes between Bangladesh and India expect that these operational matters would be settled down to ensure hazard-free travel facilities via railway. They have found that immigration and customs procedures bother the passengers, travelling by bus, most and in many cases, the Indian immigration and customs personnel create unnecessary problems to the Bangladeshi passengers. Because of smuggling from both sides, the ordinary passengers are subjected to a lengthy process of immigration. This can be easily avoided. So we expect that the Bangladesh side will bring such issues with due importance during the negotiation and find out ways to make matters easier and simpler for the journey of the ordinary common passengers citizens of the two countries via railway, particularly their smooth check-out.
Rashedul Amin
Shyamoli,Dhaka
Although the authorities of the two countries are yet to come to an understanding about what would be the two-way fares and, how many days these two train services will operate each week or how the problem of smuggling problem on this route will be addressed etc., both sides are reportedly hopeful about reaching an accord on all these matters at the soonest.
Most people would like to see such an accord to come at the earliest to facilitate the running of train services between the two countries. Many passengers who are having not pleasant experiences while availing the bus services on different routes between Bangladesh and India expect that these operational matters would be settled down to ensure hazard-free travel facilities via railway. They have found that immigration and customs procedures bother the passengers, travelling by bus, most and in many cases, the Indian immigration and customs personnel create unnecessary problems to the Bangladeshi passengers. Because of smuggling from both sides, the ordinary passengers are subjected to a lengthy process of immigration. This can be easily avoided. So we expect that the Bangladesh side will bring such issues with due importance during the negotiation and find out ways to make matters easier and simpler for the journey of the ordinary common passengers citizens of the two countries via railway, particularly their smooth check-out.
Rashedul Amin
Shyamoli,Dhaka