Hubbry Logo
Maitree ExpressMaitree ExpressMain
Open search
Maitree Express
Community hub
Maitree Express
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Maitree Express
Maitree Express
Maitree Express
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Maitree Express
Inauguration of Maitree Express train of the Bangladesh Railway on 14 April 2008
Overview
Service typeAC Express
StatusTemporarily non-operational
First service14 April 2008; 17 years ago (2008-04-14)
Last service19 July 2024; 15 months ago (2024-07-19)
Current operatorsEastern (West Bengal) Railway zone of Indian Railways & Bangladesh Railway
Route
TerminiKolkata (KOAA)
Dhaka Cantonment (DHCA)
Stops3
Distance travelled400 kilometres (250 mi)
Average journey time8 hours 50 minutes
Service frequency5 days
Train number13107/13108/13109/13110
On-board services
Classes1st AC (1A)
AC Chair Car (CC)
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesYes
Entertainment facilitiesNo
Technical
Rolling stock2 LHB rakes. 1 rake each of Indian & 1 Bangladeshi type
Track gaugebroad gauge(1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in))
Operating speed45 kilometres per hour (28 mph)
Route map
Legend
km
0
 Kolkata
114
 Gede
India and Bangladesh border
118
 Darshana
400
 Dhaka Cantonment
Transport in Dhaka
Kamalapur railway station at night
Streets
Roads
Bridges
Rail transport
Mass transit
Structures
Others
Bengali
This article contains Bengali text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols.

The Maitree Express (13109/13110) train (Bengali: মৈত্রী এক্সপ্রেস), often pronounced Moitree Express, was the first express train service connecting Dhaka in Bangladesh to Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Bengali name Maitree Express means Friendship Express when translated to English, denoting the significance of the train service to the friendly foreign relations between India and Bangladesh.[1] Previously train services between the two countries existed before the partition of India by the British and the Maitree Express re-established this connection between Dhaka and Kolkata in 2008 after being closed for 43 years.[2] In 2017, a second train service, the Bandhan Express, was inaugurated connecting Kolkata with the Bangladeshi city of Khulna, recreating the previous Barisal Express train route.[3][4] A valid visa and passport is required beforehand to purchase a ticket for the Maitree Express train. Tickets are available at Dhaka Cantonment railway station in Bangladesh and at Chitpur Station in Kolkata, India. Together with the Bandhan Express train and the Mitali Express train, the Maitree Express train is one of three modern day fully air conditioned passenger train links between India and Bangladesh.

Maitri Express Crossing time Poradah Junction

The commercial run of this train was suspended in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020. However, the train resumed its service again from 29 May 2022.[5][6] Since 19 July 2024, the service was suspended indefinitely due to political unrest in Bangladesh.[7]

Background

[edit]
Kolkata railway station, India

The Partition of India in 1947 disrupted rail links in the province of Bengal, which was divided into the Indian state of West Bengal and the Pakistani province of East Bengal (later renamed East Pakistan in 1956). During British rule over the undivided land, regular over-night trains connected Kolkata, Goalanda, Dhaka and Narayanganj. In addition pre-partition, Darjeeling Mail connecting Kolkata (Sealdah Station) with Siliguri ran through what became East Pakistan via Gede–Darshana and Chilahati–Haldibari. Three train services from Sealdah—East Bengal Mail to Parbatipur Junction via Gede-Darshana, East Bengal Express to Goalundo Ghat via Gede-Darshana, and the Barisal Express to Khulna via Benapole–Petrapole—continued operation between the two countries until 1965, when the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistani Conflict of 1965 led to the closure of all passenger train links.[2] The Bangladesh Liberation War resulted in the independence of East Pakistan as the nation-state of Bangladesh. The Maitree Express follows the same route as the first two trains above via Gede-Darshana.

Revival

[edit]
The Maitri Express

In 2001, the two national governments agreed upon the railway train scheme during bilateral talks. The train service concept got a major boost during the visit of the then Indian Foreign Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, to Dhaka in February 2007. On 8 July 2007, the first train ran from Kolkata to Dhaka in a test run, carrying Indian government officials who were to meet their Bangladeshi counterparts to finalise train schedules.[8] In response to Indian security demands, a "box-fencing" system was to be erected on either side on the no-man's land between the two countries.[9] The inauguration of the train service was held on the occasion of the Bengali New Year (Bengali: পহেলা বৈশাখ) 14 April 2008.[10]

Kolkata Station, where the train departs.

Inauguration

[edit]

On 14 April 2008, on the occasion of the Bengali New Year, the train service was launched with much fanfare. The flag-off ceremony for the first train leaving Kolkata from the Kolkata railway station in Chitpur was attended by dignitaries such as the Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav; Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi; the Governor of West Bengal Gopalkrishna Gandhi; and the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Liquat Ali Chowdhury. The Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee officially flagged-off the inaugural train from Kolkata, bound for Dhaka.[2][9] Another train departed at the same time carrying passengers from Dhaka to Kolkata. But the 360-seater Calcutta to Dhaka express train was carrying barely 65 passengers, including journalists and politicians, on its inaugural run. Indian Railways officials stated that the train service was launched hurriedly, and that when information would spread there would be a greater response and passenger numbers.[1] An official statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, "The agreement will strengthen bilateral relations and provide an alternative mode of passenger transport."[9]

Public perception

[edit]

The inauguration of the train service evoked mixed public responses in both countries.[1] Thousands of people gathered along the train route from Kolkata up to the border crossing point in Gede to cheer the inaugural train. However, a group representing Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, the Nikhil Banga Nagarik Sangha (All Bengal Citizens Committee) protested the launching of the train service, citing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh; possible terrorist infiltration into India; and demanding the rehabilitation of Bangladeshi Hindu refugees.[11][12] Police reports stated that 87 people (including 11 women) had been arrested for blocking the train by squatting on the tracks and refusing to move.[1][11][12] Police blamed the group for planting three crude bombs on the route, which were defused a day before the launch on 13 April 2008.[1][12] After this initial incident, this train service has been incident free so far.

Maitree Express route and operations

[edit]

The Maitree Express runs five days a week. The train travels around 400 kilometres (250 mi) to reach Dhaka from Kolkata. Earlier there were two stops for immigration checks in Kolkata and Dhaka. One in Gede on the Indian side and the other in Dorshona on the Bangladeshi side. Since November 2017 immigration and customs are completed at Dhaka and Kolkata. This has reduced travel time by two and half hours.

It takes around 8 hours 50 minutes to cover the entire stretch. The entire stretch is covered by broad-gauge diesel locomotives. A change of crew and locomotives takes place at Dorshona in Bangladesh. There are two major river crossings, the 100 year old Hardinge Bridge over the Padma River and the Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna River. Both river crossings occur in Bangladesh. Since Pahela Boishakh 2017 (Bengali: পহেলা বৈশাখ), 14 April 2017, all coaches have been changed to air conditioned LHB coach thus enhancing the travel experience. From February 2020 the service was made five days a week, instead of four days a week till then, with additional run with BR Rake every Tuesday and Wednesday from Dhaka and Kolkata respectively.[13]

Train schedule

[edit]

Regular train departures are as follows:[14]

Route Day Train No. Rake
Dhaka to Kolkata Friday 13107 BR
Saturday 13110 IR
Sunday 13107 BR
Tuesday 13107 BR
Wednesday 13110 IR
Route Day Train No. Rake
Kolkata to Dhaka Saturday 13108 BR
Monday 13108 BR
Tuesday 13109 IR
Wednesday 13108 BR
Friday 13109 IR

The train starts from Kolkata at 07:15 IST and reaches Dhaka at 16:05 BST the same day. Similarly, it starts from Dhaka at 08:15 BST and reaches Kolkata at 16:00 IST the same day. This train's route does not involve any lengthy ferry-crossing pauses or border checks. It is also less costly than the Kolkata to Dhaka air conditioned luxury bus services. Terminal points are Dhaka Cantonment and Kolkata (Chitpur) stations respectively. While Kolkata is a true terminal station, it is possible to continue by local train onwards to Dhaka's main station in Kamalapur from Dhaka Cantonment station. The nearest Metro station from Kolkata is Shyambazar – a distance of 2.0 kilometres (1.2 mi). There is a public bus terminal right outside Kolkata railway station with connectivity to various parts of the city.[14]

Frequency

[edit]

In February 2020, the train's frequency was increased to five days a week. From Kolkata it runs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday while the train leaves Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.[15]

Diplomacy

[edit]

The development of the Kolkata–Dhaka train service is akin to that of the Samjhauta Express (meaning "Understanding" or "Accord" Express), which connects the Indian capital Delhi to Lahore in Pakistan. Both train services were opened to revive rail links between the countries that were disrupted by the partition of India by the British in 1947. Both have been used as symbols of goodwill and cooperation between India and Bangladesh, in the case of the Maitree Express, and India and Pakistan in the case of the Samjhauta Express.

Challenges

[edit]

Earlier the Maitree Express was said to be running at 50% occupancy in 2011. With increase in runs to five days a week, this service has gained popularity. Better publicity in local media at both terminal cities also could help raise patronage leading to the train becoming a daily service. Despite this, in 2018 patronage has increased and average occupancy is around 90%.

Booking

[edit]

Unlike most of the Indian trains, online booking through the IRCTC website is not available for this train. Tickets are only available in local currency at the booking counters of Chitpur Station in Kolkata and a valid Bangladeshi visa in the passport is mandatory before purchasing a ticket. The valid visa and passport has to be shown when purchasing the train ticket. While applying for a visa it was earlier essential to specify the port of entry as "By rail-Gede" (for an Indian visa) or "By rail-Darshana"(for a Bangladeshi visa). Tickets will be issued only after issue of the visa. Valid passports must be shown while booking. In case all passengers are not present, an authorisation is required while booking tickets. After both countries started issuing an e-Visa, mentioning specific port and mode of transport is no longer required. Since this is a highly popular train, tickets need to be booked at least 5 or 6 days in advance. As of 18 June 2014, return tickets are available on a predefined number of seats, for up-to two weeks before the date of journey, excluding the journey date. The return tickets have to be validated by going to the station two hours before the departure of the train. The return fare includes only the base fare and all other taxes and service charges have to be paid during the validation of the ticket. This is applicable for return journeys from both Dhaka as well as Kolkata.

Tickets are available in Dhaka from the Main Reservation Counter of Kamalapur railway station. The counter at Dhaka Cantonment is open everyday from 0900 to 1900. A valid visa and passport has to be shown when purchasing the train ticket. In Kolkata tickets may be purchased from the International Ticket Booking Counter at Fairlie Place, Dalhousie Square, and also at Chitpur Station in Kolkata on the day of arrival of the train from Dhaka.[14]

Coach composition

[edit]

The train consisting the number 13109/10, is operated by Indian Railways rake which are purely LHB coach in red-grey (used by Rajdhani Express trains) and sky blue-grey (used by Shatabdi Express trains).

While the train consisting the number 13107/08 is operated using Bangladesh Railway rake, which are also LHB coach in dark green livery with white horizontal line.

The train has 10 coaches. 4 AC Executive Class, 4 AC Chair Car and 2 power car brake vans.

Legends
LRM/GD/EOG/SLR H- C-
Generator cum luggage van First AC Sleeper Coach AC Chair Car (CC)
Indian rakes
Rake composition of 13109 Kolkata to Dhaka
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
EOG H1 H2 H3 H4 C1 C2 C3 C4 EOG
  • while 13110 Dhaka to Kolkata has reverse rake composition of 13109.
Bangladeshi rake
Rake composition of 13107 Dhaka to Kolkata
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
EOG A1 A2 A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 B4 EOG
  • while 13108 Kolkata to Dhaka has reverse rake composition of 13107.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Maitree Express

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Maitree Express is a fully air-conditioned international service linking in with in , serving as the principal rail connection between the two neighboring countries. Named after the Bengali and Hindi word for "friendship," it was inaugurated on 14 April 2008, reviving direct passenger rail links severed for 43 years following the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War and subsequent border tensions. The service, jointly operated by and , symbolizes enhanced bilateral relations and facilitates cross-border travel for passengers, commerce, and cultural exchange. The covers roughly 375 kilometers via the Petrapole-Benapole border crossing, with a scheduled journey time of about 12 hours, inclusive of and procedures at the frontier stations. It typically operates five days a week in each direction, equipped with modern amenities in its AC chair car and sleeper coaches, though operations have faced intermittent suspensions, including during the and political unrest in in 2024. As of 2025, the service has resumed, underscoring its resilience and ongoing role in regional connectivity.

Historical Development

Origins in the Early Post-Partition Era

Following the partition of British India on August 15, , which divided the region into the and (with becoming part of the latter), existing rail networks spanning the new international border faced immediate logistical challenges, including customs formalities and compatibility issues. Despite these disruptions, cross-border passenger and freight services were quickly reestablished to support economic ties, family reunifications, and trade between and , reflecting pragmatic bilateral agreements amid the chaos of mass migrations and that displaced millions. Early operations involved border checkpoints at key stations such as Gede in and Darshana in , where passengers underwent immigration and customs inspections, often causing delays but enabling continuity of pre-partition routes. Trains like the East Bengal Mail and Express emerged as primary links in this era, connecting Kolkata's or Chitpur stations to destinations in , such as Parbatipur or further inland, covering distances of up to 256 kilometers with travel times around 5-6 hours under normal conditions. These services, numbering among three regular international trains, carried passengers across the border until escalating tensions led to suspensions; for instance, the Express utilized the Gede-Darshana crossing and included slip coaches for branching routes. Operations relied on meter-gauge tracks shared between the Eastern Railway () and Pakistan Eastern Railway (renamed from Eastern Bengal Railway in 1961), with locomotives and interchanged at border points to adhere to national protocols. By the late 1950s, amid efforts to normalize relations strained by water-sharing disputes and refugee issues, and pursued symbolic gestures of cooperation, culminating in the introduction of the Maitree Express on February 1, 1961, as a dedicated passenger service between and to foster people-to-people contacts. Named "Maitree" (friendship in Bengali), the train operated weekly, emphasizing bilateral goodwill during a period of relative diplomatic thaw before the 1965 war; it traversed approximately 176 kilometers, with about 80 kilometers in , using existing upgraded for international use. This initiative built on the foundational post-partition rail resilience but marked a deliberate step toward structured connectivity, though services remained vulnerable to geopolitical shifts.

Initial Operations and Suspension (1961-1965)

The passenger train service linking Calcutta (now ) to Dacca (now ), then part of , operated through the early as one of the primary cross-border transportation options post-partition. This service facilitated travel between the economic hubs of and , though infrastructure constraints necessitated a combination of rail segments and a ferry crossing over the at Goalundo Ghat to reach before continuing to Dacca. Operations during 1961-1965 proceeded without major interruptions until escalating border tensions culminated in suspension. The service concluded its final run on September 6, 1965, amid the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistani War, which prompted the halt of all passenger rail links between India and . The war, fought from August to September 1965, severed connectivity due to security concerns and hostilities, with no restoration until decades later. This suspension persisted for over 40 years, reflecting broader geopolitical strains in the region.

Prolonged Hiatus and Revival Negotiations (1965-2008)

The Maitree Express passenger rail service between and was suspended on September 6, 1965, following the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistani War, during which the territory of present-day formed part of as . This conflict severed the direct rail connectivity that had been established shortly after the 1947 partition, with the final pre-suspension services operating under the broader East Bengal Express framework. The suspension persisted through the 1971 , which resulted in independence from with Indian military support, yet no immediate restoration of the - passenger link occurred amid post-independence political instability, including the 1975 and subsequent military regimes. Over the ensuing decades, the hiatus reflected broader strains in Indo-Bangladeshi relations, exacerbated by issues such as border enclaves, river water-sharing disputes like the Ganges Treaty, and differing geopolitical alignments, with Bangladesh's governments under , , and later BNP-led administrations maintaining cooler ties with compared to the initial 1972 Indo-Bangladeshi . Direct passenger rail services remained absent, though limited freight and special pilgrimage trains operated intermittently on other routes, underscoring the symbolic and practical barriers to full revival. Revival negotiations intensified in the mid-2000s amid improving bilateral dynamics, particularly following discussions on connectivity and trade enhancement. On April 10, 2008, Bangladesh's Communication Secretary Mahbub ur Rahman and India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinaki Chakravarty signed an agreement in Dhaka to restore the passenger rail link, capping years of diplomatic efforts to reconnect the capitals after 43 years of disruption. This pact addressed logistical coordination, including gauge compatibility and border protocols, paving the way for the service's relaunch later that month as a twice-weekly express.

Relaunch and Inauguration (2008)

The Maitree Express was relaunched on 14 April 2008, reviving a passenger rail service between , , and , , that had been suspended for 43 years following the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War. The revival stemmed from bilateral negotiations concluded in 2007, which addressed infrastructure upgrades, border protocols, and operational agreements to facilitate cross-border travel. This initiative aligned with efforts to bolster economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges amid improving diplomatic ties under Bangladesh's government led by Prime Minister and India's administration. The inauguration coincided with Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, and featured ceremonial flag-off events at both termini to underscore the symbolic importance of the "friendship" train—Maitree deriving from the and Bengali term for amity. In , External Affairs Minister officiated the flag-off from Chitpur Station (now Kolkata Station), with dignitaries including railway officials and local leaders present. On the Dhaka side, authorities conducted a parallel ceremony at Station, emphasizing enhanced security along the route and at the Gede-Darshana border crossing. The events highlighted mutual commitments to seamless connectivity, though initial operations incorporated mandatory halts for immigration and customs clearance. Operationally, the relaunched service deployed a six-coach fully air-conditioned trainset, departing at 07:10 on 15 April 2008 for its inaugural run, traversing approximately 393 kilometers in about 15 hours to . The bi-weekly schedule—initially Tuesdays and Thursdays from , with reciprocal services from —catered to AC-class s only, reflecting the premium nature of the international link. This resumption filled a longstanding gap in direct rail , previously reliant on bus or air alternatives, and was positioned as a practical conduit for and despite anticipated delays from formalities.

Route and Technical Operations

Route Specifications and Infrastructure

The Maitree Express runs on a broad gauge (1,676 mm) route connecting Chitpur railway station in to in , covering a total distance of approximately 393 kilometers. The Indian portion spans 114 kilometers to Gede, followed by the border crossing into Darshana, with the remaining distance through including stops at Ishwardi Junction before terminating in . The route crosses the international border exclusively via the Gede-Darshana rail link, a dedicated railway crossing without road or other transport integration, where trains halt for customs and immigration formalities, contributing to an average journey speed of 44 km/h despite maximum permissible speeds up to 110 km/h on select Indian segments. Infrastructure on the Indian side is fully electrified, enabling haulage from to Gede, while the Bangladesh section relies primarily on diesel traction due to incomplete . Ongoing enhancements include the doubling of broad gauge tracks on the Bangladesh side, such as the Khulna-Darshana line, to increase capacity and reduce transit times for both passenger and freight services utilizing the same corridor. These upgrades support higher volumes, with recent years seeing hundreds of freight trains exchanged annually at Gede alongside passenger operations.

Train Composition and Capacity

The Maitree Express employs distinct rakes from (IR) and (BR), exchanged at the border stations of Gede (India) and Darshana (Bangladesh) to facilitate cross-border operations. Each rake is hauled by a dedicated , with power supplied via End-on-Generator (EOG) cars integrated into the formation. Following its conversion on April 20, 2017, the train utilizes fully air-conditioned Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches across both rakes, replacing older conventional stock to improve passenger safety through anti-telescoping features and . The IR rake consists of two EOG cars, four AC Executive Class coaches (H1–H4, offering reclining seats in a 2+2 configuration), and four AC Chair Car coaches (C1–C4, in a 2+3 seating arrangement), yielding a total capacity of 469 seats. The BR rake mirrors this structure with two EOG cars, four premium AC coaches (A1–A4), and four standard AC Chair Car coaches (B1–B4), accommodating 418 passengers in total. Locomotives vary by section: electric traction (e.g., WAP-class) on the Indian side up to Gede, transitioning to diesel (e.g., WDM-3A or equivalent) in due to differing standards.

Schedule, Frequency, and Travel Logistics

The Maitree Express provides bidirectional service between Chitpur railway station in and in , with a total route distance of approximately 393 kilometers. In the -to- direction (train number 13109), the train departs at 07:10 and arrives in at 16:05, yielding a scheduled running time of about 9 hours; the reverse journey (train number 13107 or 13110) departs at 08:15 and arrives in at 16:00. These timings account for minimal intermediate halts, primarily at Gede on the Indian side and Darshana on the Bangladeshi side for border formalities, where the train pauses for 10-30 minutes each to facilitate and inspections.
DirectionTrain No.OriginDepartureDestinationArrivalScheduled Running Time
Kolkata to Dhaka13109 (KOAA)07:10 (DAKA)16:05~9 hours
Dhaka to Kolkata13107 (DAKA)08:15 (KOAA)16:00~8 hours
As of October 2025, the service operates five days per week, an increase from the prior four-day schedule implemented to accommodate rising passenger demand and enhance bilateral connectivity. Travel logistics incorporate mandatory passport and visa verification at the Gede-Darshana border crossing, where passengers disembark briefly for processing, potentially extending the effective door-to-door duration to 12-13 hours due to queues and procedural delays. No additional commercial stops occur en route, emphasizing direct transit, though actual arrival times may vary by 30-60 minutes owing to track conditions or heightened security checks.

Passenger Services and Accessibility

Booking Mechanisms and Procedures

Tickets for the Maitree Express are issued exclusively at designated counters at the originating stations: Chitpur (KOAA) for the -to- service (train number 13109) and Kamalapur (DAKA) for the -to- service (train number 13107). Online booking via ' IRCTC platform or Bangladesh Railway's systems is not permitted for this international service, requiring in-person applications to verify travel documents. Bookings commence 30 days prior to the travel date, excluding the journey day itself, with counters operating from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time. Applicants must submit a completed reservation form along with original passport and valid visa; the visa application should specify rail entry via the Gede-Darshana border crossing. This requirement applies to all passengers, including children under five years old, and tickets are denied without verified documents. Limited quotas exist for each nationality—typically around 200-300 AC chair car seats per direction—leading to high demand and frequent sell-outs, particularly during peak seasons like holidays or festivals. For Indian nationals booking Kolkata-to-Dhaka tickets, the process occurs at the Eastern Railway's international booking counter at Fairlie Place or , where fares are paid in Indian rupees (approximately ₹1,600-2,000 for AC chair car as of recent operations, subject to revision). Bangladeshi nationals follow a parallel procedure at Kamalapur's international counter, paying in (around ৳2,500-3,000 equivalent). Return journey bookings may be requested simultaneously if seats are available, though allotments for onward and return are separately managed and often limited; unconfirmed return tickets can sometimes be purchased at the destination station upon arrival. Passengers should arrive early, as processing includes pre-checks, and no refunds are issued for visa-related cancellations.

Border Crossing Protocols and Delays

The Maitree Express halts at in and Darshana railway station in for mandatory and clearance, as these stations facilitate the rail link across the international border. Passengers are required to hold valid passports and visas obtained prior to travel, with immigration officers conducting document verification either onboard or at the stations. Customs inspections focus on screening for prohibited items, adhering to bilateral agreements between Indian and Bangladeshi authorities. These procedures typically involve a stoppage of approximately one to two hours, during which passengers may need to disembark for processing, contributing to the train's overall journey time of around 11-12 hours for the 535 km route. Delays often stem from manual verification processes, limited staffing, and coordination between the (India) and , exacerbated during peak travel periods or heightened security alerts. In the service's early years post-2008 relaunch, such halts frequently extended beyond scheduled times, with passengers reporting waits of over two hours that discouraged ridership. To mitigate these issues, proposals for end-to-end checks—where clearances occur at origin and destination stations without halts—were advanced in , aiming to streamline and reduce inconvenience. However, implementation has been partial or inconsistent, with traditional protocols persisting as the primary method, leading to ongoing complaints about procedural inefficiencies. Recent suspensions, such as those from July 2024 amid Bangladesh's political , have further highlighted vulnerabilities in cross- , though core protocols remain unchanged when operational.

Onboard Amenities and Passenger Experience

The Maitree Express features fully air-conditioned Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches, upgraded on April 20, 2017, to enhance passenger safety through features like superior collision resistance and fire-retardant materials compared to older designs. The train's composition includes four AC chair car coaches for daytime seating, two AC two-tier sleeper coaches, and two AC three-tier sleeper coaches, supporting the approximately 11-12 hour journey over 450 kilometers. Catering is facilitated via e-catering services from platforms like RailRestro and , enabling seat delivery of meals ordered through apps or IRCTC, as the train lacks an onboard pantry car. accounts describe the AC environment as comfortable for the route's duration, though food availability depends on pre-arranged orders or brief station stops, with no complimentary meals or dedicated vending reported.

Diplomatic and Strategic Role

Symbolism in India-Bangladesh Relations

The name Maitree, meaning "" in Bengali, underscores the train's role as a deliberate emblem of goodwill and connectivity between and , reflecting efforts to strengthen bilateral ties through . Relaunched on April 14, 2008, after a 43-year hiatus stemming from the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War and subsequent political tensions, the service revived a pre-partition rail link operational during British colonial times, signaling a commitment to overcoming historical divisions and promoting cross-border harmony. In diplomatic contexts, the Maitree Express has been leveraged to mark milestones in relations, such as during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh, where end-to-end immigration clearance for the train was inaugurated alongside the , emphasizing enhanced people-to-people contacts and economic integration as pillars of partnership. This gesture aligned with broader railway diplomacy initiatives aimed at fostering "brotherly ties" through physical connectivity, countering past suspicions and facilitating trade valued at over $10 billion annually by the mid-2010s. The train's operations have periodically mirrored relational ebbs and flows, with suspensions—such as during the 2024 political upheaval—highlighting its status as a of mutual trust, yet resumptions consistently reaffirm symbolic resilience in fostering stability amid regional challenges like border and water-sharing disputes. Despite occasional strains from domestic in both nations, the service endures as a low-cost conduit for cultural exchange, carrying thousands of passengers weekly and symbolizing pragmatic cooperation over ideological divergences.

Integration with Broader Connectivity Initiatives

The Maitree Express forms a pivotal element in bilateral rail agreements between and , which encompass six active interchange points for passenger and freight services, including the Petrapole-Benapole and Gede-Darshana routes. Operational since April 2008, it complements freight corridors and other passenger trains like the (Kolkata-Khulna) and (New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka), enabling integrated cross-border logistics that support trade volumes exceeding 1 million tonnes annually via rail. These linkages align with protocols for inland water and rail transit, fostering multimodal connectivity that reduces transit times for goods between eastern and Bangladesh's ports. At the sub-regional level, the train integrates with the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal () initiative, where the Gede-Darshana alignment—revived through Maitree's operations—facilitates potential extensions for motor vehicle and rail corridors linking and via , addressing landlocked access challenges. This supports BBIN's motor vehicles agreement, signed in 2015, by providing a tested passenger rail model adaptable for broader freight and transit enhancements among the four nations. In the Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Maitree contributes to the 2024 Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, emphasizing people-to-people linkages across seven member states through revived cross-border routes that promote , , and economic corridors. It aligns with BIMSTEC's rail sub-sector priorities, including harmonized standards and gauge compatibility efforts, positioning the service as a for extending connectivity to via Bangladesh's networks. Additionally, Bangladesh's railway strategy links Maitree to the Trans-Asian Railway network under UNESCAP frameworks, alongside SAARC and SASEC goals for seamless Eurasian rail integration. The service indirectly bolsters India's Act East Policy by enabling transit routes that connect its northeastern states to Bangladesh's infrastructure, as seen in complementary projects like the Akhaura-Agartala rail link commissioned in November 2023, which enhances overall regional access without direct reliance on Maitree's Kolkata-Dhaka axis. These integrations underscore Maitree's role in cascading bilateral gains into multilateral frameworks, though progress remains constrained by gauge differences and border infrastructure upgrades.

Geopolitical Implications and Security Considerations

The Maitree Express reinforces India's strategic connectivity objectives under its Neighbourhood First policy, fostering economic interdependence and people-to-people ties with to enhance bilateral stability amid regional competition. By facilitating direct rail links between and since its inception in April 2008, the service supports trade volumes exceeding $10 billion annually between the two nations as of 2023, while promoting cultural exchanges that underpin long-term diplomatic goodwill. This connectivity countersbalance external influences, such as China's projects in , by prioritizing India-led infrastructure like rail upgrades to maintain Dhaka's alignment with New Delhi's regional vision. However, the train's operations underscore geopolitical vulnerabilities tied to Bangladesh's internal politics, as evidenced by repeated suspensions during the 2024 anti-government protests that ousted on August 5, 2024, stranding passengers and halting services amid fears of spillover instability. The subsequent rise of Islamist-leaning elements in Bangladesh's interim government has prompted Indian concerns over shifting alliances, potentially complicating cross-border initiatives and exposing India's reliance on cooperative regimes for sustained influence in the . Such disruptions highlight the service's role as a barometer for relational health, where political upheavals can amplify anti-India sentiments and hinder broader South Asian integration efforts. Security considerations at the Gede-Darshana border crossing, where the train transits, involve heightened risks of , illegal migration, and potential militant infiltration, given the 4,096-kilometer India-Bangladesh frontier's history of over 20,000 annual illegal crossings reported by Indian authorities as of 2023. The (BSF) and have intensified patrols and joint exercises since 2024, including intelligence-driven alerts for terror threats from Bangladeshi networks, leading to temporary halts like the August 2024 suspension to avert risks during unrest. No major incidents have targeted the Maitree Express specifically, but general border threats—such as linked to regional insurgencies—necessitate rigorous passenger screening and fenced rail corridors, balancing accessibility with safeguards against .

Interruptions and Resumptions

COVID-19 Suspension and Restart (2020-2022)

The Maitree Express service was suspended on March 15, 2020, as part of broader measures by and to curb the spread of , including the halt of international passenger rail and bus links. This followed the last pre-suspension run into on March 15, 2020, amid escalating concerns that prompted the extension of closures beyond an initial April 15 deadline. The suspension aligned with global travel restrictions, affecting the twice-weekly Kolkata-Dhaka route and contributing to a near-total pause in bilateral rail connectivity for over two years. Service resumption occurred on May 29, 2022, after a 26-month hiatus, with the Maitree Express restarting operations on its standard schedule between Kolkata's Chitpur station and Dhaka's Kamalapur station. The restart coincided with the revival of other cross-border trains like the , reflecting eased restrictions and renewed bilateral commitments to connectivity, though initial passenger volumes remained low due to lingering health apprehensions. No major disruptions were reported in the immediate post-resumption period, marking a return to pre-pandemic frequencies of two round trips per week.

Impacts of Bangladesh's 2024 Political Upheaval

The Maitree Express services were initially suspended on July 19, 2024, amid escalating student-led protests against job quotas in , which turned violent and disrupted rail operations. The cancellations affected both Kolkata-Dhaka (13109/13110) and Dhaka-Kolkata (13107/13108) routes, with citing unavoidable circumstances and security risks from the unrest. Following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and flight to on August 5, 2024, all cross-border train operations, including the Maitree Express, were halted indefinitely by due to the intensified chaos, including attacks on and widespread disorder. This extension beyond the initial August 6 deadline reflected concerns over passenger safety and bilateral coordination failures, with Bangladesh's interim government showing reluctance to prioritize rail resumption amid shifting political priorities. The upheaval stranded passengers and disrupted connectivity for thousands reliant on the service for family visits, trade, and medical travel, forcing reliance on costlier air or bus alternatives where available. By late 2024, while some routes like New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka (Mitali Express) partially resumed in December after five months of stranding, the Maitree Express remained non-operational, exacerbating economic and personal hardships without a confirmed restart date into 2025. The prolonged halt underscored vulnerabilities in cross-border rail links to domestic instability, with no peer-reviewed analyses yet quantifying long-term passenger losses but media reports highlighting immediate cancellations impacting weekly schedules serving up to 500 passengers per direction.

Other Operational Halts and Recoveries

In July 2016, following the terrorist attack on July 1 at the in Dhaka's Gulshan area, which killed 20 hostages mostly with machetes, Indian Railways suspended Maitree Express services effective July 7 due to heightened security risks for cross-border travel. The halt was precautionary amid fears of Islamist militancy spillover, given the attack's targeting of foreigners and the involvement of groups linked to ISIS-inspired networks. Services resumed after a brief period once Indian and Bangladeshi authorities assessed the situation stabilized, reflecting the train's role in bilateral connectivity despite episodic threats. The train has also encountered short-term suspensions for routine infrastructure maintenance and track upgrades, which are coordinated between Indian and Bangladeshi railways to minimize disruptions. For instance, in June 2023, multiple trips of the Maitree Express were cancelled from June 23 to July 2 to accommodate engineering blocks and power shutdowns on sections of the route, with services restarting on July 3. Similarly, from June 14 to 22 in 2024, the service was halted for up to nine days to perform essential repairs and safety checks, ensuring long-term operational reliability amid the route's exposure to seasonal flooding and wear. These interventions, often scheduled during lower passenger periods, have consistently led to prompt recoveries without long-term interruptions, underscoring the resilience of the bilateral rail link.

Challenges and Criticisms

Security Risks and Incident Responses

The Maitree Express has faced security risks primarily stemming from political instability and Islamist militancy in , including potential targeting by groups such as (JMB). These threats are exacerbated by the train's cross-border route through volatile regions, where anti-India sentiments and domestic unrest have occasionally manifested as direct attacks on rail infrastructure. Notable incidents include a February 8, 2015, petrol attack on the Dhaka-bound train near the Bangladeshi , which caused no but heightened bilateral concerns amid ongoing protests. In November 2023, unidentified assailants hurled crude at the train in , Bangladesh, with explosions occurring beside the passing coaches but resulting in no injuries or significant damage. The service was also suspended following the July 2016 attack in Dhaka's Gulshan area, a terrorist incident claimed by affiliates that underscored broader vulnerabilities for Indian-linked assets. In response to these risks, Indian and Bangladeshi authorities have implemented temporary suspensions of the service, as seen after the and incidents, to reassess threats and coordinate enhanced protocols. During operations amid unrest, such as in October 2024 protests, trains have been escorted by security personnel to ensure safe passage. (BSF) checks at entry points like Petrapole-Gede have been intensified, including routine inspections for explosives and coordination with Bangladeshi counterparts to mitigate sabotage risks. These measures reflect a pragmatic approach prioritizing passenger safety over uninterrupted service, though critics note that recurrent halts underscore underlying geopolitical frictions rather than isolated threats.

Economic Viability and Passenger Dissatisfaction

A pre-launch by RITES in 2008 deemed the Maitree Express route economically unviable, yet the service proceeded primarily for diplomatic purposes. Early operations reflected this assessment, with occupancy rates hovering around 50% in 2011, indicating suboptimal financial performance amid high operational costs for cross-border infrastructure and staffing. Occupancy improved over time, reaching 68% monthly from in the 2013-14 fiscal year and approximately 90% in the tri-weekly service prior to the disruptions, suggesting better utilization and potential revenue generation through ticket sales during peak periods. Despite these gains, recent developments underscore ongoing viability challenges. In October 2025, Indian Railways rejected Bangladesh's proposal for a second Maitree Express train, citing insufficient demand or capacity utilization on the existing service, which implies that expansion would not yield adequate returns to justify additional resources. The lack of publicly available detailed revenue figures from either Indian or Bangladesh Railways limits precise assessment, but reliance on occupancy as a proxy highlights persistent risks from political interruptions and competition from air and road travel, which could erode passenger volumes and subsidies required for maintenance. Passenger dissatisfaction has centered on protracted border procedures, with waits for and clearance at Darshana () and Gede () often exceeding five hours, deterring repeat travel and contributing to perceptions of inefficiency shortly after launch in 2008. These delays, attributed to manual processing and coordination issues between the two railways, have been cited by passengers as a primary factor in the service's "poor show," exacerbating discomfort during peak heat or crowding and undermining the train's appeal despite upgraded air-conditioned coaches introduced in . While end-to-end trials in aimed to mitigate this, inconsistent implementation has sustained complaints, with no comprehensive surveys quantifying overall satisfaction but anecdotal reports from media highlighting these bottlenecks as a barrier to broader adoption.

Political Influences on Service Continuity

The Maitree Express service, originally introduced in 1965 as a link between and what was then , was suspended amid the Indo-Pakistani War of that year, reflecting acute bilateral tensions over border disputes and . This halt persisted for 43 years, exacerbated by the 1971 , which severed rail connectivity due to independence hostilities and subsequent diplomatic strains under military regimes in that prioritized alignments with and Islamic solidarity over Indian ties. Restoration efforts gained traction only after Sheikh Hasina's assumed power in late 2008, coinciding with India's government's emphasis on neighborhood diplomacy, culminating in the train's relaunch on April 14, 2008, as a gesture of renewed friendship. Post-revival, service continuity has hinged on political goodwill from Dhaka's secular-leaning administrations, which viewed the train as integral to and countering Islamist opposition narratives. Under Hasina's prolonged tenure (–), the route operated without major political interruptions, bolstered by high-level bilateral pacts like the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement that eased border frictions. In contrast, periods of opposition dominance, such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's rule (2001–2006), had stalled pre-2008 revival talks amid accusations of Indian interference in Bangladeshi politics, highlighting how Dhaka's internal power shifts influence cross-border infrastructure resilience. Indian domestic politics have exerted limited direct pressure on operations, though occasional partisan rhetoric—such as critiques from West Bengal's Communist Party of India (Marxist) during the 2008 inauguration—underscored regional sensitivities to perceived favoritism toward over local rail priorities. Claims of suspensions driven by India's agenda, as alleged in some Bangladeshi outlets, lack corroboration from neutral reporting and align instead with narratives amplifying anti-India sentiment during election cycles. Overall, the train's uptime reflects causal dependence on Dhaka's political stability, where pro-India governance sustains operations, while adversarial shifts risk safety-driven halts by to avert unrest spillover.

Recent Developments and Outlook

Post-2022 Enhancements and Expansions

In the years following its resumption in May , the Maitree Express maintained a five-day weekly schedule between and , operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Kolkata, with corresponding return services. This frequency, equivalent to pre-pandemic levels, supported consistent people-to-people connectivity amid recovering demand. Bilateral discussions in December 2023 between Indian and Bangladeshi railway officials emphasized enhancing cross-border rail services, including an ongoing assessment of passenger demand to potentially increase frequencies for the Maitree Express and other routes. By March 2024, talks advanced on introducing a fourth passenger train service specifically between and , aiming to expand overall capacity on the corridor amid growing trade and travel needs. Proposals for direct expansions to the Maitree service faced setbacks, as rejected Bangladesh's October 2025 suggestion for a second Maitree train linking to , citing operational constraints. Nevertheless, the route's popularity—driven in part by the Maitree Express—led to the addition of a new pair of trains on the Dhaka-Kolkata line in October 2025, effectively broadening service options without altering the flagship train's composition or schedule. These developments reflect incremental capacity growth rather than fundamental upgrades to the Maitree Express itself, prioritizing reliability over rapid infrastructural changes.

Adaptations to Ongoing Bilateral Tensions (2023-2025)

In response to escalating unrest in during mid-2024, suspended Maitree Express operations on July 19, citing violent protests that posed risks to passenger safety. The suspension was extended following Hasina's resignation on August 5, with all cross-border passenger trains, including Maitree Express, halted indefinitely amid widespread chaos and reports of attacks on . This measure prioritized traveler security over continuity, as authorities noted "unavoidable circumstances" linked to the deteriorating law-and-order situation. When partial operations resumed amid ongoing instability in October 2024, enhanced security protocols were implemented, including armed escorts for the train through volatile areas to ensure safe passage to . Despite these adaptations, services faced repeated disruptions, with Bangladesh's interim expressing reluctance to fully restore rail links by September 2024 due to persistent domestic challenges. By November 2024, Maitree Express remained canceled pending further notice, reflecting a cautious stance amid unresolved bilateral frictions exacerbated by the political transition. Into 2025, adaptations shifted toward restraint in expansion amid strained relations, marked by trade restrictions and heightened anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh. On October 16, Indian Railways rejected Bangladesh's proposal for a second Maitree route from Khulna to Kolkata, signaling no immediate appetite for increased connectivity amid security and diplomatic uncertainties. This decision underscored a prioritization of operational stability over growth, with existing services operating under vigilant monitoring rather than normalized schedules.

Prospects for Sustainability and Expansion

The sustainability of the Maitree Express hinges on stable bilateral relations between and , which have been tested by the 2024 political upheaval leading to the ouster of Prime Minister and subsequent interim governance in . Passenger services, suspended since July 19, 2024, amid unrest, remain halted as of late 2024, with rakes stationed in and no confirmed resumption date by October 2025, underscoring vulnerability to domestic instability in . Freight operations, however, resumed in February 2025 after a nine-month pause, indicating partial resilience in commercial rail links despite a 45% year-on-year contraction in overall rail cargo volume during FY25, driven by reduced trade flows. Historical passenger occupancy rates, reaching 90% on tri-weekly runs post-2022 resumption, suggest economic viability under normal conditions, but prolonged suspensions erode revenue and infrastructure maintenance, potentially deterring long-term investment. Expansion efforts face mixed signals amid these tensions. In October 2025, and agreed in principle to broaden existing rail links to foster ties, including feasibility studies for increasing Maitree Express frequency and introducing return ticketing systems. However, rejected Bangladesh's proposal for a second Maitree route from to in the same month, citing unspecified operational constraints, which highlights capacity limits and prioritization of core corridors. Broader connectivity initiatives, such as modernization projects and new links like Agartala-Akhaura (inaugurated November 2023), could indirectly bolster Maitree's role in regional networks, but halted projects linking 's Northeast via signal caution in scaling amid geopolitical shifts. Overall prospects depend on resolving political uncertainties, with potential for growth in passenger and freight volumes if relations stabilize, as evidenced by pre-2024 expansions in train frequencies supporting and . Yet, without consistent operations, the service risks marginalization against alternative air and road options, emphasizing the need for joint infrastructure upgrades to ensure competitiveness.

References

  1. https://www.traintrackers.com/international_html/Maitree_Express_1.html
  2. https://www.irfca.org/gallery/Events/IR_BR/?g2_page=1
  3. https://www.tnhglobal.com/maitree-express-the-friendship-train-between-india-and-bangladesh/
  4. https://railway.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/railway.portal.gov.bd/page/ae2e5201_e3f2_40b4_aa31_349834027e9d/Maitree%2520Express%2520Jan-%2520Jul.pdf
  5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363156890_Bangladesh_Railway
  6. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/train-services-between-india-bangladesh-suspended-after-sheikh-hasinas-resignation/article68489062.ece
  7. https://etrain.info/train/Maitree-Express-13109/live
  8. https://globalvoices.org/2017/08/06/maitree-express-the-friendship-train-between-india-and-bangladesh/
  9. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/images-revisit-the-railways-that-united-bengal-before-partition
  10. https://abn397.wordpress.com/tag/trains-between-india-and-east-pakistan/
  11. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/maitree-express-tracks-history/articleshow/2951844.cms
  12. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/70-years-on-passenger-rail-link-to-khulna-resumes/articleshow/58087712.cms
  13. https://www.france24.com/en/20080414-rail-services-resume-between-india-bangladesh-india-bangladesh
  14. https://m.economictimes.com/bangladesh-india-restore-train-link-after-43-years/articleshow/2950693.cms
  15. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/india-bangladesh-sign-direct-rail-link-accord
  16. https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/kolkata-dhaka-rail-maitree-restored-after-43-yrs-108041501024_1.html
  17. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kolkata-dhaka-train-service-to-resume-on-bengali-new-year/articleshow/2945997.cms
  18. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kolkata-dhaka-moitree-express-flagged-off/articleshow/2950159.cms
  19. https://www.oneindia.com/2008/04/11/pranab-mukherjee-to-flag-off-maitree-express-to-dhaka-1207919235.html
  20. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-32165
  21. https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/maitree-express-to-be-flagged-off-on-april-14/articleshow/2944525.cms
  22. https://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/maitree-express-br-13108/6031/7037/10586
  23. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1857116
  24. https://www.redbus.in/trains/maitree-express-ir-13109
  25. https://bordercrossinghub.com/darshana-gede-border-crossing/
  26. https://indiarailinfo.com/train/blog/maitree-express-ir-13110/7944/10586/7037
  27. https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/railways/india-bangladesh-rail-connectivity-key-to-regional-growth/108099680
  28. https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-maitree-express-ir-13109/6935/7037/10586
  29. https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-maitree-express-br-13107/7943/10586/7037
  30. https://er.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C4%2C268&dcd=1087&did=1492693353623C8E17A3406CF8B3897BC0190A144A703.web91
  31. https://er.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C4%2C268&dcd=1061&did=14903603077174D2F39495973212AB0608255C700A27B.web107
  32. https://www.traintrackers.com/international_html/Maitree_Express_5.html
  33. https://www.railyatri.in/trains/route-13107-maitre-expres
  34. https://www.ixigo.com/trains/13109
  35. https://www.ixigo.com/trains/13107
  36. https://hcidhaka.gov.in/what?id=eyJpdiI6IlNcL2xKYzdBaG5xSlE4RlNIRHpqZkx3PT0iLCJ2YWx1ZSI6Imk5YXp5aVlhbHZyZ3J3MjV1RXVhOVE9PSIsIm1hYyI6IjhiNzE2MDY4MTg3YjY3MjRiOWE1ODRlYWUxMjdlMDUyZGIwMWU1OGQ3YTVmZGNhYTE4MjQyMzQ1ZWE4ZGI1N2MifQ==
  37. https://www.daily-sun.com/post/459495
  38. https://www.lostwithpurpose.com/dhaka-kolkata-train/
  39. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/821942392/Maitree-Express-pptx-Nikhil
  40. https://www.quora.com/Is-it-any-option-to-book-a-Maitree-Express-train-ticket-online
  41. https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-book-tickets-for-Maitree-Express
  42. https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/booking-for-maitree-express-begins-on-friday/articleshow/2944300.cms
  43. https://bangladeshfact.com/maitree-express/
  44. https://www.indiatvnews.com/web-stories/news/valid-visa-passport-required-to-purchase-tickets-for-these-trains-maitree-express-bandhan-express-mitali-express-2025-04-15-985656
  45. https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-inter.html
  46. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-36932
  47. https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/soon-only-end-to-end-immigration-checks-on-dhaka-kolkata-train/articleshow/61338827.cms
  48. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/soon-only-end-to-end-immigration-checks-on-dhaka-kolkata-train/articleshow/61339490.cms
  49. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sheikh-hasina-visits-india-narendra-modi-new-rail-passenger-service-to-be-announced-4603357/
  50. https://www.railrestro.com/trains/order-food-in-maitree-express-13108
  51. https://www.zoopindia.com/order-food-in-maitree-express-13107
  52. https://rsdebate.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/701392/1/IQ_249_21062019_U88_p346_p395.pdf
  53. https://soultravelindia.com/kolkata-to-dhaka-train/
  54. https://www.observerbd.com/news/105227
  55. https://organiser.org/2023/05/25/175451/opinion/railway-diplomacy-india-bangladesh-enhancing-brotherly-ties-connectivity/
  56. https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/india-bangladesh-relations-strain-amid-ongoing-protests-maitree-express-stranded-in-dhaka-1105982-2024-10-14
  57. https://www.daily-sun.com/post/149521
  58. https://www.eurasiareview.com/13112023-cross-border-rail-link-between-bangladesh-and-india-a-step-towards-enhanced-connectivity-oped/
  59. https://thegeopolitics.com/boosting-connectivity-cooperation-between-bangladesh-and-india/
  60. https://cuts-citee.org/pdf/bp-railway_connectivity_in_the_BBIN_sub-region_and_its_potential.pdf
  61. https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-bimstec-master-plan-for-transport-connectivity-a-stocktaking
  62. https://www.orfonline.org/english/expert-speak/connectivity-and-the-northeast-challenges-to-india-s-neighbourhood-first-and-act-east-policies
  63. https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-Bangladesh2024.pdf
  64. https://southasianvoices.org/railway-diplomacy-china-versus-india/
  65. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/railway-protection-force-bsf-strengthen-security-near-bangladesh-border-8308825
  66. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/May/24/india-tightens-security-along-bangladesh-border-after-intel-warns-of-terror-threat
  67. https://www.perspectivebd.com/article/rail-transit-and-the-question-of-security
  68. https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/coronavirus-threat-india-bangladesh-passenger-train-services-suspended/articleshow/74637185.cms
  69. https://www.tbsnews.net/international/coronavirus-chronicle/coronavirus-india-bangladesh-passenger-train-services-suspended
  70. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/last-maitree-express-of-covid-19-outbreak-season-chugs-into-kol/articleshow/74632197.cms
  71. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/transport/news/rail-communications-india-resume-after-2-yrs-may-29-3026431
  72. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/passenger-train-services-india-bangladesh-resume-may-29-1951214-2022-05-18
  73. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/train-services-between-india-and-bangladesh-to-resume-from-may-29-2988777
  74. https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/metro-news/bangladesh-india-train-services-resume-after-two-years-1653847461
  75. https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20220529/915c218e215f4c518fde6c2ac1827023/c.html
  76. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bangladesh-student-unrest-kolkata-dhaka-maitree-express-cancelled-9463852/
  77. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/unavoidable-circumstances-india-cancels-2-trains-to-bangladesh-amid-violent-protests-6142842
  78. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maitree-express-services-between-kolkata-dhaka-suspended-amid-protest-in-bangladesh/articleshow/111932688.cms
  79. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-suspends-train-services-to-bangladesh-indefinitely-9496857/
  80. https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1228637
  81. https://www.businesstoday.in/world/story/bangladesh-protest-fallout-all-train-services-remain-suspended-between-india-and-bangladesh-440208-2024-08-05
  82. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Aug/05/kolkata-dhaka-maitree-express-cancelled-amidst-violence-in-bangladesh
  83. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-indian-railways-suspends-all-train-services-with-bangladesh-amid-violent-protests-3574382/
  84. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/mitali-express-returns-to-india-after-5-months-amid-political-turmoil-in-bangladesh/articleshow/116182589.cms
  85. https://www.railway-technology.com/news/political-upheaval-in-bangladesh-affects-freight-and-passengers/
  86. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-eastern-railway-suspends-maitree-express-train-between-kolkata-dhaka-due-to-unrest-in-bangladesh-3563377/
  87. https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-suspends-maitree-express-over-gulshan-attack-116070700409_1.html
  88. https://timescontent.timesofindia.com/photo/feature/Maitree-Express/492179
  89. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-bangladesh-trains-cancelled-kolkata-maitree-bandhan-express-eid-al-adha-2392639-2023-06-13
  90. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/transport/train-services-bangladesh-india-route-be-closed-maximum-9-days-tomorrow-876251
  91. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/maitri-express-may-be-jmb-target-suspects-dhaka/articleshow/45127761.cms
  92. https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-bangladesh-maitree-express-firebombed-in-troubled-bangladesh/articleshow/46167032.cms
  93. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/dhakabound-express-train-attacked/article6872346.ece
  94. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/crude-bombs-hurled-at-maitree-express-train-in-bangladeshs-pabna-none-hurt20231101170539
  95. https://csep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Express-Routes_India-Railway-Connectivity-3.pdf
  96. https://marginalmatters.wordpress.com/tag/latest-passenger-occupancy-figures-in-maitree-express/
  97. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-india-bangladesh-are-rebooting-their-rail-link-7946133/
  98. https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/indian-railway-rejects-bds-2nd-maitree-train-proposal
  99. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-151167
  100. https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/new-passenger-train-service-between-dhaka-and-kolkata-to-be-launched-on-april-14/services-and-costs/slideshow/58067457.cms
  101. https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/29039/
  102. https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/9618695
  103. https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-modi-hasina-legacy
  104. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/train-operations-to-bangladesh-resume-after-two-year-covid-break/articleshow/91877816.cms
  105. https://er.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C4%2C268&dcd=9940&did=17295808690476DB6EF4F14C22F4EEC784E5C5DD8DECF
  106. https://www.daily-sun.com/post/725145
  107. https://indiaseatradenews.com/cross-border-railway-connectivity-drawing-india-and-bangladesh-closer/
  108. https://www.daily-sun.com/post/182996/budget2025-2026
  109. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bangladesh-protest-job-quota-indian-railways-cancels-two-trains-maitri-express-bandhan-express-2569580-2024-07-20
  110. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Aug/06/kol-dhaka-maitree-exp-to-remain-suspended-goods-train-services-hit
  111. https://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/maitree-bandhan-express-remain-cancelled-until-further-notice-587586
  112. https://apparelresources.com/business-news/trade/allies-adversaries-india-bangladesh-trade-ties-hit-turbulence/
  113. https://jiceias.com/upsc-current-affairs-india-bangladesh-trade-tensions-2025/
  114. https://www.nextias.com/ca/current-affairs/05-04-2025/india-bangladesh-relations-developments-issues
  115. https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/246360/resumption-of-indo-bangla-train-services-still-uncertain
  116. https://csep.org/blog/what-future-for-india-bangladesh-connectivity/
  117. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/rail-waterways-trade-between-india-and-bangladesh-sees-sharp-contraction-in-fy25/article69644726.ece
  118. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2022/06/04/resumption-of-india-bangladesh-passenger-train-a-milestone-in-the-strengthening-of-bilateral-ties/
  119. https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/education-youth/bd-india-agree-to-expand-rly-links
  120. https://www.taxtmi.com/news?id=4537
  121. https://weeklyblitz.net/2025/01/10/understanding-india-bangladesh-cooperation-on-roads-and-railways/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.