According to a TOI report, as per the latest development, transnational railway connectivity between India and Bangladesh, from West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri to Dhaka cantonment in Bangladesh, the Mitali Express – the third India-Bangladesh passenger train service, is all set to start services from June 1.
As per the reports, the new train service will be flagged off virtually by the Railway Ministers of India and Bangladesh from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi on June 1. Sabyasachi De, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway informed that the Mitali Express will be running two days a week on Sunday and Wednesday.
De added that during the regular service of the train, departure from New Jalpaiguri will be at 11:45 hours (IST). He added that the train will arrive at Haldibari, India, at 12.55 hours (IST) and depart from Haldibari at 13.05 hours (IST). The train will arrive at Chilahati (Bangladesh) at 13.55 hours (BST) and depart from Chilahati at 14.25 hours (BST) to reach Dhaka Cantonment at 22:30 hours (BST), De said.
The CPRO further informed that the train will not have any commercial stoppages. Reports further added that the new Jalpaiguri – Dhaka Cantonment leg of this train will have four First Class AC (Seating only), four AC Chair cars, and two luggage-cum-generator vans.
De added that during its return journey, Dhaka Cantonment – New Jalpaiguri Mitali Express will also run two days a week- on Monday and Thursday, which will leave Dhaka Cantonment at 21:50 hours (BST). While the train will arrive at Chilahati (Bangladesh) at 05.45 hours (BST), it will depart from Chilahati at 06.15 hours (BST). Further, the train will arrive at Haldibari (India) at 06.00 hours (IST) and depart from Haldibari at 06.05 hours (IST) to reach New Jalpaiguri at 07:15 hours (IST), he stated.
He also added that the train tickets for this journey will be available at the overseas Passenger Reservation System counters at New Jalpaiguri Station and Kolkata Railway Station. De added that the new train services will enhance the bilateral trade relation and socio-economic activities of India and Bangladesh.