The Hindu Business Line : ER to spend Rs 33 cr on infrastructure

Kolkata, July 26 Eastern Railway, gearing up to run the proposed international passenger train between Kolkata and Dhaka, a distance of 406 km, has already spent Rs 3 crore on development of infrastructure facilities at Gede Station border point (116 km from Kolkata). Wire mesh fencing surrounding the platforms at Gede has already been completed for security reasons.

The international train, once cleared by immigration and customs, will run non-stop up to Dhaka cantonment, with only operational stoppages. No passenger will be allowed to entrain or detrain at any mid point.

An additional Rs 3 crore has been sanctioned for building a new 40 metre wide platform and foot over bridge and other facilities at Gede.

Briefing newspersons at Gede station on the re-modelling work going on for the big day, likely to be in September when the first Indian passenger train will hurtle across the border to Darshana in Bangladesh, Mr S.K. Mondal, DRM, Sealdah Division of Eastern Railway, said the development of total facilities at Gede immigration/customs point, including security screening, for handling some 600 passengers both ways initially would entail an estimated total expenditure of Rs 33 crore.

He said a proposal for necessary sanction has already been sent to the Railway Board.

Key issues

Mr G.K. Mohanty, Chief Passenger Transportation Manager, ER, said the three key issues of frequency of service, fare structure and composition of the trains would be discussed at an interministerial meeting between representatives of both countries in Kolkata on July 30.

The services is likely to be once or twice a week to start with, and expanded later depending on the response evoked.

The traction will be diesel as there is no rail route electrification on the Bangladesh side.

Route plan

Some 130 km will be added for calculating passenger fare as surcharge for two major bridge

Tickets can be booked from the foreign ticket counter at Fairlie Place on presentation of passport with visa stamping.

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