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The move to run passenger trains between India and Bangladesh has gathered pace, with a high-level team comprising senior officials of the External Affairs Ministry, Railway Board, Customs and West Bengal Government, among others, recently visiting Gede, the last Indian station in Nadia district (West Bengal) bordering Bangladesh.

The team will submit its report to the respective authorities on return to Delhi. It is learnt that the Indian Government is keen to start the services at the earliest. Right now, freight trains between the two countries already run on three sections, namely, Petrapole-Benapole, Gede-Darshana and Sinhabad-Rohanpur and it is virtually one-way trade, exports from India far exceeding those from Bangladesh.

The Railway authorities, it is learnt, are geared to run services.

The line, station and staff are there. After all, freight trains run on the route. But then, to run passenger trains, proper facilities for immigration and Customs will be needed. The authorities concerned may take some time to put these in place. But then the question that arises is: Will there be enough traffic?

Our Bureau

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