DHAKA: Finally the rail authorities of both India and Bangladesh decided to run Moitree Express three days in a week instead of prevailing two days to ease the pressure of the passengers though they have been demanding for six days.

But when this new schedule of three days will come into effect is still unknown to Dhaka rail authorities.

One official of Dhaka on condition of anonymity told that huge pressure was there from the passengers to increase the number of weekly trips because the number of passengers have increased manifold during last few months. Finally, the rail authorities decided to hold talks with the neighboring nation regarding increasing the trips.

That official simply informed that two-day meetings between the railway officials of both the countries held talks on last Monday and Tuesday at Indian Eastern Railway headquarter Fairly Place, Kolkata.

He, however, said that this decision is yet to be finalized because there will be a high powered meeting at New Delhi between two countries in next month to reach the final decision about running of Moitree Express three days in a week. The both sides, however, are optimist about its implementation pending the NOC (No Objection Certificate) of the foreign ministries of the both countries.

On last Friday, three Bangladesh railway officials Shah Jahirul Islam, DDG (Operation), Khalilur Rahman, ADG (Rolling Stock) and Additional Director Kalikanta Ghose traveled to Kolkata for talks.

In the talks, Indian Rail Board Additional Traffic member Ashim Kumer Moitra and its Eastern Railway Additional AGM D.K. Patel were present.  

In the talks they discussed about running passenger train between Khulna-Kolkata besides running goods train. The proposed train would be named Moitree Express-2. However, this is not yet to be finalized, Dhaka sources said.

It may be mentioned here, during British rule in this sub-continent, passenger trains were running through Kolkata-Khulna route. But during the Indo-Pak war of 1965 the train connections were closed.

In the British regime the passengers of Barisal used to go Kolkata via Khulna traveling by steamer from Barisal to Khulna. They purchased tickets from Barisal for Kolkata including the steamer fair.

At that time the tickets and passports were checked in the running train. This time Bangladesh has proposed to India for doing customs and immigration formalities in the running train.

Because the passengers have to face untold sufferings at Darsana and Gede check posts. For checking purpose the trains are to make delay hours together causing sufferings and wasting time. At present tickets of all the seats of Moitree Express are sold out. Moreover the tickets are not available minimum before a fortnight.

So if the number of trips is increased the passengers will get relief. 

BDST: 1243 HRS, OCT 30, 2014