The Bangladesh government has not engaged in talks with India about restarting passenger train services between the two countries, despite requests from its citizens. The Maitree Express, which operated between Kolkata and Dhaka, and the Bandhan Express, linking Khulna to West Bengal’s capital, have been halted indefinitely since July 19, 2024. The disruption in connectivity was a result of unrest in Bangladesh, leading to the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
Relations between the nations deteriorated following the change in government, with an interim administration led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus taking charge. Despite the recent general elections in Bangladesh that saw the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) coming to power, discussions on restoring the railway links have not taken place. The Maitree Express, especially, was a popular choice for Bangladeshis, with many using it for medical treatments in India.
An official from the Eastern Railway mentioned that the services can only resume upon approval from the Ministry of External Affairs, which holds the authority to make the final decision on this matter. Individuals traveling from Bangladesh to India for medical purposes have been significantly impacted by the suspension of train services, as road travel is inconvenient and air travel is costly.
One Bangladeshi traveler, Towhid, highlighted the financial burden caused by the lack of train services, citing the stark difference in ticket prices between the Maitree Express and air travel. Expressing the goodwill between people of both countries, he urged for the restoration of train services for the benefit of ordinary citizens. A Ministry of External Affairs source mentioned that any potential discussions on this issue would be considered upon receiving a formal request from Dhaka.
