DHAKA: Two neighboring countries--Bangladesh and India-- have taken initiatives to start passenger train service between Khulna and Kolkata.

Senior officials of Bangladesh Railway are now in Kolkata to discuss about the matter with Indian Railway officials. They expect an immediate implementation of the service.

Sources said the train, to be named ‘Maitree-2’, will cross Benapole-Petrapole frontier.

However, the train services were initiated from Khulna to Kolkata in the then British period but later it had been closed due to the war between Pakistan and India in 1965. Two trains of both countries were trapped in Jessore and Kolkata at that time.

Bangladesh Railway director (public relations) Zahurul Islam on Sunday said three officers--additional director general (ADG) Shah Zahirul Islam (operation), ADG Khalilur Rahman (rolling stock) and director Kalikanta Ghos–-went to Kolkata in this regards.

They will discuss to increase the numbers of trips of ongoing Dhaka-Kolkata train service of ‘Maitree Express’ to six times from twice in a week.

They will also discuss to increase the number of compartments to meet the passengers’ demand, Zahurul Islam said.

The meeting will be concluded Tuesday.

He also said if the meeting becomes successful then higher officials of all organizations concerned will meet in New Delhi.

The BR officials have suggested their counterparts to complete the customs and immigration procedures on the train compartments of the proposed Khulna-Kolkata train service to consume time as hours have been wasting for the checking of the passengers of ‘Maitree Express’ in the borders of the both countries.

Recently, the duration of checking has been reduced. So, the demands of seats have increased more and all seats have been reserved within a short time.

Considering the matter, the rail ministries of both countries have shown their keen interest to start a new train service on Khulna-Kolkata route.

BDST: 1535 HRS, OCT 27, 2014