Hasina, Modi inaugurate ‘Mitali Express’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday jointly inaugurated ‘Mitali Express’ - a passenger train service on the Dhaka-New Jalpaiguri route.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim confirmed the matter.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi inaugurated the new train service.

The new passenger train will run on the Dhaka cantonment-Chilahati-New Jalpaiguri route.

During the opening ceremony, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan was present at the PMO.

According to Bangladesh Railways, customs and immigration facilities will be provided at Dhaka cantonment and New Jalpaiguri railway stations.

It said the passenger train will run from Dhaka cantonment every Monday and Thursday and from New Jalpaiguri every Sunday and Wednesday.

The nonstop ten-coach train service between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri will cover a distance of 595 km. Through the launching of the new train service, it revived the rail connectivity that was in operation until 1965 between the countries.

The fare for each passenger on the AC berth is Taka 4,905, for AC seat Taka 3,805 and for AC chair Taka 2,705 from Dhaka to New Jalpaiguri.

ARR