News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 17 years ago
Home  » Business » Bangla train caught in row over wire-mesh

Bangla train caught in row over wire-mesh

Source: PTI
October 03, 2007 10:51 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
The much-awaited Kolkata-Dhaka passenger train service is caught on a row between India and Bangladesh over wire-mesh.

Though coaches, tracks and staff required to run the train are ready, the vexed issue of fencing the no-man's land has stalled the inaugural run till date.

While Indian authorities insist on fencing off the no-man's land at Indo-Bangla border for custom and immigration clearance, Bangladesh, it is learnt, has reservation about it.

A six-member high-powered delegation from Bangladesh Railway are coming to India next week to sort out the issue, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

"Though we are fully ready with our preparation to run the passenger train to Dhaka,
the issue of fencing the area between Gede on Indian side and Darshana in Bangladesh has not been resolved yet," he said.

Tentatively named as Maitree Express, the train will have 14 coaches, including AC coaches and pantry car and cover about 400 km distance between Chitpur (Kolkata) to Joydevpur (Dhaka) in 14 hours. "It is a non-stop train and though the journey will take only eight hours, the Custom and immigration clearance at both sides will take six hours.

"However, we are trying to reduce the custom clearance time to four hours," said the official.

"The ticket rate is fixed at Rs 450 per person tentatively. However, a final decision is likely to be taken soon", said the official.
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
 

Moneywiz Live!