Biswabrata Goswami
GEDE, 23 MAY: India and Bangladesh, two neighboring nations, have taken a momentous leap forward in their railway cooperation, bridging the gap and strengthening their ties. In a virtual ceremony, India gracefully handed over 20 broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh, igniting the engines of progress and connectivity. These locomotives, tailored to meet Bangladesh’s specific requirements, will power the tracks, fulfilling the rising demands for passenger and freight movement between the two nations. As the wheels of cooperation turn, economic growth, trade links, and people-to-people connectivity are set to flourish, ushering in a new era of collaboration on the rails.
The handover ceremony, conducted virtually, saw the participation of Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bangladesh Minister for Railways Nurul Islam Sujan from their respective locations. The ceremony took place at Gede Railway station in Nadia district, India, and at Darshana in Bangladesh. Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially handed over the 20 Broad Gauge Locomotives to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Nurul Islam Sujan, via virtual mode from Rail Bhaban in New Delhi. The event was attended by A K Lahoti, chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, board members, senior officials of the Railway Board, and delegates from Bangladesh.
The locomotives, which meet Bangladesh’s specific height requirements, are expected to meet the rising demands for passenger and freight movement on both sides of the border. The trains will commence their journey from Gede and conclude at Darshana, contributing to the efficient transportation of goods and people between the two nations.
During a meeting held in June 2022, both countries had fruitful discussions on various aspects of railway operations. Minister Nurul Islam Sujan highlighted the importance of strengthening rail connectivity between India and Bangladesh to promote trade and travel. The handover of these locomotives represents India’s commitment to fulfilling the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide trains to Bangladesh and signifies the growing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
India has ongoing projects worth $1.7 billion in Bangladesh, reflecting its commitment to further strengthening the railway infrastructure in the country. Minister Vaishnaw also extended an offer to convert tracks to broad gauge to enhance connectivity within Bangladesh.
Currently, there are nine interchanges between India and Bangladesh, with five already operational and two more under construction. The existing trains connecting the two countries, including the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitri Express, Kolkata-Khulna Vandan Express, and New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka Mitali Express, have received positive responses from the public.
According to the rail ministry, trade between India and Bangladesh via rail has seen consistent growth, with the interchange of close to 100 cargo trains per month. Approximately 2.66 million tons of cargo were sent to Bangladesh in the last financial year.
The collaboration between India and Bangladesh in the railway sector is poised to bring significant benefits to both nations. With ongoing projects and the addition of new locomotives, the railway network is expected to play a vital role in strengthening the bond between India and Bangladesh while facilitating seamless transportation across the border, as stated by the railway ministry.
The handover of these 20 broad gauge locomotives follows India’s previous delivery of 10 broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh in July 2022. These diesel-powered trains, with a capacity of up to 120 kmph and 3,300 horsepower, have further enhanced Bangladesh’s rail capabilities.
The cooperation in the railway sector between India and Bangladesh signifies the growing bilateral ties and emphasizes the mutual commitment to bolstering trade, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
Tags: #India #Bangladesh #BroadGaugeLocomotives #Gede #Darshana
