The journey time of Maitree Express between Dhaka and Kolkata could be reduced by around three hours to six hours if the cross-border passenger train is operated through the Padma Bridge-Benapole route instead of the existing Jamuna Bridge-Darsana route, officials said.
The proposed route could also reduce the passenger fare by around Tk 1,000, making the train a more convenient alternative to air travel between the two cities, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The Maitree Express, which connects Bangladesh and India, was suspended on July 19, 2024, amid security concerns.
Despite recent political tensions between the two neighbouring countries, the number of Bangladeshi tourists entering India jumped by nearly 80 per cent compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
According to preliminary data by the Ministry of Tourism, India, over 74,000 people from Bangladesh travelled to India in August.
On September 9, Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam informed Parliament that freight train services are currently operating between Bangladesh and India, while initiatives are being taken to resume passenger train services with the neighbouring country.
Railway Ministry Additional Secretary Ziaul Haque, after the three-day recent inter-governmental railway meeting told the reporters that no decision has been taken yet on resuming the suspended cross-border train services between Bangladesh and India.
Officials said the two sides are reviewing the possibility of restarting the train services.
The train - Maitree Express - was introduced jointly by Bangladesh and India in April 2008, on the occasion of the Bengali New Year, with the aim of restoring passenger rail connectivity between the two countries that had been disrupted in 1965.
The cross-border service has since served as an important mode of transport for passengers travelling between Bangladesh and India, particularly those travelling for tourism, trade, commerce and medical treatment.
According to Bangladesh Railway sources, a total of 288,360 passengers travelled on Maitree Express from 2022-23 until July 19, 2024. Available records show that around 95 percent of the passengers were from Bangladesh.
The train maintained an average occupancy rate of 80 to 85 percent, while the occupancy exceeded 95 percent during major holidays such as Eid and Durga Puja, reflecting strong demand for the service among Bangladeshi passengers.
Under the existing arrangement for cross-border passenger train operations, Bangladesh Railway receives 75 percent of the apportioned earnings from passenger bookings on Maitree Express, while the remaining 25 percent goes to Indian Railways.
Before its suspension, Maitree Express operated through the Tangail-Jamuna Bridge-Ishwardi-Darsana route, covering around 392 kilometres between Dhaka and Kolkata.
According to the approved timetable, the train departed Dhaka Station at 8:15am and was scheduled to reach Kolkata at 4pm, taking seven hours and 45 minutes. On the return journey, it departed Kolkata's Chitpur Terminal Station at 7:10am and was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka at 3:35pm, taking eight hours and 25 minutes.
In practice, however, the journey could take more than nine to 10 hours due to congestion on the railway network, particularly along the Dhaka-Ishwardi-Darsana section.
The opening of the Padma Bridge railway route in December 2024 has created an alternative corridor for trains travelling towards the country's southwestern region and the Benapole border.
The distance and travel time between Kamlapur and Benapole have been significantly reduced through the new route.
While trains previously required more than eight hours for the journey, Ruposhi Bangla Express now covers the route in around three hours and four minutes, according to railway sources.
Railway officials believe Maitree Express could similarly benefit if it is rerouted through Padma Bridge and Benapole instead of the Jamuna Bridge-Darsana corridor.