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Download PDF The passenger train service between Kolkata and Dhaka is likely to begin from ‘Pahela Baishakh’, Chief of Bangladesh Army Staff Gen Moeen U Ahmed said yesterday.
”If everything goes well, the train will run from ‘Pahela Baishakh’ (Bengali New Year’s Day in mid-April),” Moeen told the newsmen after visiting the Indian border station Gede where the necessary infrastructure has been put in place for operation of the train.
Stating that the Bangladesh government was keen to begin the train service as early as possible, he said he was visiting Gede to ascertain the bottlenecks still to be sorted out for the service to begin.
When pointed out that Bangladesh’s objection to erection of barbed wire fences from Darshana station to the border was a major reason for the delay, he said, “Both countries have agreed to begin the service in the interest of the people.”
Any misunderstanding on relevant issues could be sorted out through discussions and negotiations, he added.
Earlier, Moeen, accompanied by Bangladesh Defence Adviser Brig Maksud, arrived by helicopter at the BSF outpost where he was received by Inspector General (South Bengal) D V Murlidharan.
From the outpost, the team was driven to the Gede station where they were shown around by the Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah, Swapan Mondal.
Gen Moeen reached Gede station at 10:25am by an Indian helicopter. Bangladesh Army’s 66 Infantry Division GOC Maj Gen Fatmi Ahmed Rumi, BSF North Bengal IG SM Tewari and Krishna Nagar BSF DIG Sarandri were present.
Later, the Bangladesh Army chief held an hour-long meeting with BSF officials at the outpost before returning to Kolkata.
He also called on West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the Writers Building in Kolkata yesterday and exchanged views on bilateral interests including Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service and border issues.
Gen Moeen and Buddhadeb held a 45-minute-long meeting yesterday afternoon, but neither of them talked to the press on outcome of the meeting.
Moeen is expected to visit Shanti Niketan today before returning to Dhaka.
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