Bangladesh and India resumed trade of essential commodities through existing rail links.

The first freight train was loaded with around 1,000 tons of onions on 9 May 2020. It used the Gede (India) - Darsana (Bangladesh) interchange point. Indian Railway authorities handed over the cargo to Bangladesh Railway authorities. As of 20 May 2020, news reports noted that 10,924 tons of onions have been transported to Bangladesh. Ginger and turmeric, as well as fly ash, are also now being transported by rail, mainly through the Gede - Darsana route.

Four other functioning rail links are being operated to carry essentials between India and Bangladesh: Gede - Darsana, Petrapole (India)- Benapole (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)-Birol(Bangladesh).

Freight trains are usually utilized to transport stones and heavy non-perishable items. However, cross-border trade via road experienced disruption beginning last week of March after India imposed a lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Related links:

• Rail turns crucial for onion cargo from India
• Transportation of essential commodities from India to Bangladesh by train begins
• Bangladesh-India freight train service resumes