Dhaka, Delhi set to sign MoU on container service

Bangladesh and Indian railways are set to sign an agreement on improvement of container service and launch train services between the two countries during the Bangladesh Prime Minister's visit to India next week.
Officials said Container Corporation of India and Container Company of Bangladesh will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on improvement of container service between the two countries.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are expected to witness the signing of the agreement.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister will visit India from April 07-10.
During the visit, sources said, the two prime ministers are expected to launch the trial run of the 2nd passenger train between Khulna and Kolkata via Benapole and Petrapole through videoconferencing.
They will also launch container train service through Birol-Radhikapur border which has remained suspended since April 2005.
Under the MoU, Bangladesh Railway officials said, Indian company will assist Bangladesh's company in building capacity by providing training and logistic support.
They said the government launched the Container Company of Bangladesh last year aiming to improve the railway's freight capacity. At present, only 5-6 per cent of freights from Chittagong port are carried through railway.
The Birol-Radhikadur container train service is set to be restored after 12 years of its suspension after BR had recently completed conversion of its metre-gauge line up to Parbatipur into broad-gauge.
The officials said the passenger train to be named as 2nd Moitree will carry railway officials of both the countries during the trial run.
    smunima@yahoo.com