Bandhan Express

Bandhan Express
Overview
Service type AC Express
First service 9 November 2017 (2017-11-09)
Current operator(s) Eastern Railway zone
Route
Start Kolkata (KOAA)
Stops 2
End Khulna (KLNB)
Distance travelled 172 km (107 mi)
Average journey time 4 hrs
Service frequency Weekly
On-board services
Class(es) AC First Class and AC Chair Car
Seating arrangements Yes
Sleeping arrangements Yes
Catering facilities No
Entertainment facilities No
Technical
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Route map
 km
0 km Kolkata
Dum Dum
Bangaon
78.5 km Petrapole
India and Bangladesh Border
90 km Benapole
Jessore Junction
175 km Khulna

The Bandhan Express is an international passenger train which runs between the Indian city of Kolkata and the Bangladeshi city of Khulna. It is the 2nd modern train link between the Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh. It was initially referred to as the Maitree Express II.

Route

The route recreates the previous Barisal Express route. The train starts at Kolkata railway station on the Indian side, stopping at Dum Dum and Bangaon before reaching the Indian border at Petrapole. The train then crosses to Benapole on the Bangladesh side, going through Jhikargachha & Jashore, before reaching Khulna railway station.[1][2]

History

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee flagged off the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express through video conference from Kolkata on 9 November 2017.[3] Immigration process is done at Kolkata, even though the visa is to be collected from the Indian High Commission beforehand. Suitable and correct Khulna passengers will be able to collect the ticket in the counters at Khulna Station with the papers.

Naming

After Kolkata-Dhaka, it was proposed to name India-Bangladesh Second Maitri Train on Calcutta-Khulna route as 'Sonartari'.[4] But the same name is used in the railways of both countries and hence was excluded. Then the names Sampritee and Bandhan were offered. The bonding name was then unanimously accepted.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Maitree Express-II chugged across India, Bangladesh border amid cheers, applause". Indo-Asian News Service. Firstpost. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
  2. ↑ "Sheikh Hasina visit: Maitree Express to be made fully AC, new passenger service to be announced". The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
  3. ↑ "Prime Minister of India & Prime Minister of Bangladesh Jointly along with Chief Minister, West Bengal Flag off New Cross-Border Train between India & Bangladesh, "Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express" from Kolkata through Video Confencing". Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministry of Railways. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Prime Minister of India & Prime Minister of Bangladesh Jointly along with Chief Minister, West Bengal Flag off New Cross-Border Train between India & Bangladesh, "Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express" from Kolkata through Video Confencing". Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministry of Railways. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
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