Cross-border trade be-tween Bangladesh and India by railway has long been suffering due to lack of necessary infrastructure facilities, officials said.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Kolkata has identified some problems in this connection during an inspection of the railway network.
It has requested the commerce ministry to resolve the problems at the railway interchange points to enhance further the bilateral trade between the two countries.
There are nine interchange railway points between Bangladesh and India. Currently, five are operational. They are at Darshana (Bangladesh)-Gede (India), Benapole (Bangladesh)-Petrapole (India), Rohanpur (Bangladesh)-Singhabad (India), Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India), and Chilahati (BD) Haldibari (India).
After remaining closed since 1965, the Chilahati (BD)-Haldibari (India) rail link has been made operational since August 01, 2021. It was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Indian in December last year.
The embassy has recommended establishing a storage yard at the Rohanpur (Bangladesh)-Singhabad (India) for import of goods from India. It has also recommended facilities at the point to export products to Nepal.
It has also suggested setting up of a storage yard at the Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India) point.
The Bangladesh mission in Kolkata recommends reopening of the closed Shahbazpur (Bangladesh)-Karimganj (India) rail link as early as possible. It is a vital interchange point for Bangladeshi traders exporting their goods to the north-eastern part of India.
The Chilahati (BD)-Haldibari (India) point is important for carrying Bogie Tank Petrol and Naphtha (BTPN) from the Numaligarh refinery marketing terminal which is connected with the railway network of Rangapani via the new Jalpaiguri (Siliguri) to Haldibari route, according to the mission.
The interchange point is also convenient for Bhutan transit in view of the close proximity of Bhutan border point to the Indian railway station Hasimara, says the mission.
The Burimari (Bangla-desh)-Chengrabanda (India), Mogolhat (Bangladesh)-Gitaldaha (India) and Shahbazpur (Bangladesh)-Karimganj (India) rail links have been remaining closed since 1965, 1971 and 2002 respectively.
The mission thinks the Burimari-Changrabandha can be used for the Bhutan transit through Hasimara using the Chittagong Port.
Goods trains could occasionally run to Bangladesh through the Mogolhat-Gitaldaha route, crossing the bridge over the Mansai River till 1982.
But, during the flood in 1998, girders on both sides of the bridge washed away.
The embassy has suggested construction work on the bridge over the Mansai River on the Indian side.
Currently, the Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) is under construction.
On the other hand, the Feni (BD)-Belonia rail link was shut on August 17, 1997 because of heavy losses.
"We have received a letter recommending resolution to the problems at the railway interchange points. We are working on the issue," a high official of the commerce ministry said.
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