Mitali Express, the third commuter train between Bangladesh and neighbouring India, began its operation on Wednesday. Bangladesh Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon and Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the new train service between Dhaka and Bengal's New Jalpaiguri at a virtual programme. This is the third train service between the two countries, aimed at not only easing the rail communication but also strengthening the friendly ties between the two countries, according to the two ministers. Mitali Express will begin its journey from New Jalpaiguri station and reach Dhaka Cantonment station via Haldibari (India) and Chilahati (Bangladesh).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday jointly inaugurated five projects. They inaugurated the projects virtually after bilateral talks between Bangladesh and India that took place at the Prime Minister’s Office. The projects are Ground-breaking ceremony for Infrastructure Development for Power Evacuation Facilities of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, introduction of a new passenger train service, ‘Mitali Express’, between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri and extended development work at Rabindra Bhawan Kuthibari in Shilaidaha, Kushtia. Also read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi The other projects are laying the foundation stone of a monument at Ashuganj in memory of martyred members of Indian Allied Forces in Ashuganj and three new Border haats along the India-Bangladesh border.