India, Bangla discuss launching container train service

New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) Prospects of launching a
container train service between India and Bangladesh was
discussed at length at an inter-governmental rail meeting
here.
India and Bangladesh already have passengers trains
running between the two countries and the issue of container
train movement was one of the major highlights of Friday's
meeting given the increased commercial activities between the
two countries.
However, railway ministry officials said, no final
decision was taken on the issue as some more rounds of talks
are expected.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by director general
of Bangladesh Railways Mohammad Ta Whidul Anwar Chowdhury
while the Indian side was led by additional member (traffic)
Railway Board Pradeep Bhatnagar, during which constructing
14-km a rail link between Agartala and Akhaura (Bangladesh)
was also discussed.
Both countries had in 2010 decided form a joint team
to identify the alignment for connectivity between the two
places.
Officials said the preliminary survey on the India
side has been carried out while the feasibility study on the
Bangladesh side is underway.
Reduction in running time of the Maitree Express
between Kolkata and Dhaka also figured in the agenda.