
The passenger train service between Calcutta in India and the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, has resumed after an interval of more than 40 years.
Trains travelled in both directions on Monday - the first service since the 1965 war between India and Pakistan.
Bangladesh - previously East Pakistan - gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 but Delhi and Dhaka only agreed to resume the train link in 2001.
The train has been dubbed the Maitreyi, or Friendship, Express.
One service left Dhaka on Bengali New Year's Day on Monday for the inaugural 500km (310 mile) run to Calcutta, with another train running from Calcutta to Dhaka.
The BBC's Bangladesh correspondent - travelling to Calcutta - says some in India have expressed concern that the train could lead to an increase in smuggling and illegal immigration.
Our correspondent says that even though security checks at the border will take four hours, the new train is another sign that normal relations are being established.
Bangladesh - previously East Pakistan - gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 but Delhi and Dhaka only agreed to resume the train link in 2001.
The train has been dubbed the Maitreyi, or Friendship, Express.
One service left Dhaka on Bengali New Year's Day on Monday for the inaugural 500km (310 mile) run to Calcutta, with another train running from Calcutta to Dhaka.
The BBC's Bangladesh correspondent - travelling to Calcutta - says some in India have expressed concern that the train could lead to an increase in smuggling and illegal immigration.
Our correspondent says that even though security checks at the border will take four hours, the new train is another sign that normal relations are being established.
No comments:
Post a Comment