The Samikhsya Bureau
NEW DELHI: Heralding a new chapter in India-Bangladesh bilateral bond, Prime Ministers of both the nations – Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina – jointly inaugurated a railway link between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh during the PM level virtual bilateral summit on Thursday.
Later during the day, a goods train was flagged off by the Railway Minister of Bangladesh Md. Nurul Islam Sujan from Chilahati station which entered India passing through the international border.
After the partition in 1947, seven rail links were operational between India and the then East Pakistan (up to 1965). Presently, there are 4 operational rail links between India and Bangladesh.
The Haldibari – Chilahati rail link is the fifth rail link between both the nations.
The Haldibari – Chilahati rail link was operational till 1965. This was part of the Broad Gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri during partition.
Trains traveling to Assam and North Bengal continued to travel through the then East Pakistan territory even after partition.
However, the war of 1965 effectively cut off all the railway links between India and the then East Pakistan.
Indian Railways has restored the tracks up to international border from Haldibari station at a cost of Rs. 82.72 crores.
Bangladesh Railways has also accordingly undertaken up-gradation and laying of missing tracks on their side from Chilahati station to international border.
Haldibari – Chilahati route will be beneficial for transit into Bangladesh from Assam and West Bengal.
This newly opened rail link will enhance rail network accessibility to the main ports, dry ports, and land borders to support the growth in regional trade and to encourage economic and social development of the region.
Common people and businessman of both the countries will be able to reap the benefit of both goods and passenger traffic, once passenger trains are planned in this route.
With this new link coming into operation, tourist from Bangladesh will be able to visit places like Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dooars apart from countries like Nepal and Bhutan easily.
