Bangladesh eyes train service with Nepal, Bhutan via India

In a major turn of events involving rail connectivity, Bangladesh is expecting train operations through India to Nepal and Bhutan.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat revealed the information at a press conference at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Monday afternoon.

“It is widely reported that India will operate trains within Bangladesh, but it is not mentioned that Bangladesh will also operate trains through India to neighboring countries Nepal and Bhutan,” Arafat was quoted by Dhaka Tribune as saying. He was narrating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) of rail connectivity between Bangladesh and India.

“The rail connectivity is a matter of regional connectivity. Nepal and Bhutan can use Mongla and Chittagong ports of Bangladesh which will boost our economy according to this MOU. This overall rail connectivity will give a long-term advantage for the people of Bangladesh.” he said.

The state minister pointed to the MOU which was signed between Bangladesh and India and said: “It is clearly mentioned in the clause that ‘Red traffic’ will not be allowed inside the Indian wagon while travelling through Bangladesh. It is also been clear that domestic law enforcement agencies will provide the security measures of the train inside their own territories.

“‘Red traffic‍‍` means that explosives, arms, and ammunition are prohibited. I will make this MOU public so that everyone can review it clearly," he added, urging BNP leaders and critics to read the MOU before commenting on it.

Arafat also asked: “Where did they find that all Indian trains will carry arms or ammunition?"

On Wednesday, Bangladesh Railway Director General Sardar Shahadat Ali and Ministry of Railways Humayun Kabir said that Bangladesh would be able to set up railway links with Bhutan and Nepal through Indian territories in exchange for providing New Delhi with railway transit to India’s north-eastern states.

During her last tour to India, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina an MoU with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi providing rail transit to India. A trial run on one of the proposed rail routes would be conducted next month.