India and Bangladesh discuss restarting suspended cross-border passenger train services

Dhaka,UPDATED: Sep 7, 2026 18:08 IST

Bangladesh and India are expected to discuss this week restarting cross-border passenger train services that have remained suspended since the violent unrest in 2024 that toppled prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government, officials in Dhaka said on Monday.

Bangladesh Railway officials will hold a two-day meeting with their Indian counterparts in Dhaka from Tuesday to discuss the resumption of the Maitree, Bandhan and Mitali Express services, while Dhaka is also expected to raise the possibility of a new route.

"We are set to discuss matters relating to re-launching of the railway services -- Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express -- in the IGRM (Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting) starting tomorrow," a Bangladesh railway official familiar with the development said. The Maitree Express connects Dhaka with Kolkata, the Bandhan Express links Khulna with Kolkata, and the Mitali Express earlier connected Dhaka with New Jalpaiguri. Kolkata and New Jalpaiguri are in West Bengal.

According to the official, Bangladesh is expected to propose a new train route connecting Rajshahi in the country’s north-west with Kolkata. Dhaka is also likely to suggest that the Maitree Express run between Dhaka and Kolkata via the newly built Padma Bridge instead of the Jamuna Bridge.

"If both sides agree, the Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express trains could resume operations by next month," the official said, adding that Indian railway authorities were also interested in restarting the services. The official said both countries would need clearance from their foreign, home and other relevant ministries before passenger services can resume or a new route can be introduced. Representatives of the ministries concerned are also expected to attend the two-day meeting, while the final decision will be taken by the political leadership of the two countries.

The three train services were suspended after violent protests in Bangladesh in July 2024. The Maitree and Bandhan Express services were first cancelled from July 19 to August 6, 2024, but the suspension was later extended indefinitely, according to the Railway Ministry. The Mitali Express made its last trip to Dhaka on July 17, 2024, but did not return, according to Indian Railway officials. The political turmoil that followed kept the services suspended even after the immediate unrest eased.

Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, after weeks of deadly protests that brought down her Awami League government. An interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus later took charge in Bangladesh, and ties with New Delhi remained strained, particularly over Hasina’s presence in India. Dhaka has since sought her extradition. The Bangladesh ist Party won the general elections early this year and replaced the Yunus-led interim administration, though several contentious issues have continued to weigh on bilateral ties.

Freight train services between India and Bangladesh officially resumed in February last year after a nine-month suspension, but passenger services remained halted. The proposed restart of the rail links comes as Dhaka and New Delhi look to revive engagement despite differences on some issues.

With PTI Inputs

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