Railway officials announced on Monday that all train services between India and Bangladesh have been suspended indefinitely due to unrest in the neighboring country.
According to the Railway Ministry, the Maitri Express, Bandhan Express, and Mitali Express last operated in mid-July and have been canceled since then due to the ongoing violent protests in Bangladesh. The Maitri Express and Bandhan Express were initially canceled from July 19, 2024, to August 6, 2024.
Bangladesh Protests LIVE Updates
Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express cancelled
The Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express services will be cancelled on Tuesday, according to the Eastern Railway, citing information from Bangladeshi authorities. The Maitree Express, which has been non-operational since July 19, will continue to be suspended on August 6.
“Mitali Express, which runs between New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka, went to Dhaka on July 17, 2024, but it didn’t return after that,” the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Katihar told PTI.
He added, “The train has 10 coaches owned by Indian Railways but since these coaches were used in that particular train only, there is no inconvenience of any sort to us. The train’s loco used to be changed at the border. So when it enters Bangladesh, they attach their own engine to the train replacing ours.”
Additionally, the bi-weekly Kolkata-Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express has also been cancelled since July 21 due to large-scale violent protests.
Bangladesh protest and resignation of Sheikh Hasina
This cancellation follows the resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday amid widespread protests that have resulted in over 100 deaths in the past two days.
An interim government is being established, as announced by Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman.