New Delhi: India and Bangladesh on Sunday restarted the fifth rain link between the Haldibari – Chilahati Rail Route. The Indian Railways deployed the first freight train loaded with stones from the Northeast Frontier Railway’s Damdim Station to Bangladesh.
With the launch of food grain, fresh fruits, chemical fertilizer, onion, chilies, garlic, ginger, fly ash, clay, limestone, stones and boulders, wood & timber, and other commodities can be shipped from India Bangladesh using this rail line.
According to the Indian Embassy in Dhaka, seven rail lines were operating between India and then-East Pakistan after the partition in 1947 until 1965. Currently, between India and Bangladesh, four rail lines are operational, and they are Petrapole (India) – Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) – Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India) – Rohanpur (Bangladesh), and Radhikapur (India) – Birol (Bangladesh).
The railway line, which opened on Sunday, was operating until 1965 and both countries are committed to reviving all pre-1965 railway connections between them.
The completion of this rail link will increase rail connectivity and bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh. It will also strengthen rail network access to major ports and dry ports, assist regional trade growth, and promote economic and social development.