The much-desired passenger train services between India and Bangladesh will resume soon following a ban due to the pandemic.
The first train, after lifting the ban, will run between India and Bangladesh at the Haldibari-Chilahati border, confirmed Tofik Hussain, said Bangladesh's deputy high commissioner in Kolkata.
Haldibari, in Cooch Behar, is about 4.5km from the Indo-Bangla international border, often known as the “zero point.” Further, Haldibari is about 12 km from Chilahati in Bangladesh's Nilphamari district in Rangpur division, according to Times of India.
According to report, Hussain, together with the High Commission's commercial chief Md Samsul Arif and Siliguri Sonali Bank Manager Jabedul Alam, visited the Haldibari railway station and the railway track.
After reviewing the existing situation, Hussain expressed his delight that passenger train services between Chilahati and Haldibari will begin soon.
He also stated that this step will help both countries' tourism and economy, as well as their development. Both countries have already given their approval for passenger trains to run between India and Bangladesh, he added.
While applauding Haldibari train station, Tofik Hussain said that if the Covid-19 pandemic situation improves in the coming days, they will begin issuing tourist visas.
Bangladesh-India air bubble flights resumed on September 5 following four months of travel ban due to rising coronavirus infections.
Meanwhile, passenger trains between Bangladesh and India resumed on April 14, 2008, after being suspended for more than four decades.
