In an effort to increase bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India – currently running at about $6 billion – the Governments of both countries will launch a container train service running from Dhaka, Bangladesh to Kolakata, India, using a broad-gauge connection through Darshana, Bangladesh, to Gede, India. Trial runs are set to begin in October 2017.

This move is in follow up to the preliminary agreement to increase cooperation between the Container Company of Bangladesh Limited and the Container Corporation of India signed during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit in April 2017 to New Delhi, India.

Railway transport of goods is estimated to take around 12 hours. Officials are finalizing rules and procedures in preparation for the launch of the freight train service.

Related links:

• Dhaka-Kolkata freight train from next month
• India-Bangladesh rail service to cut Chittagong congestion