Maitree Express may resume soon: Trivedi

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said on Tuesday that the Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express passenger train service may resume soon, with a fixed date likely to be announced shortly.

Trivedi made the remarks after meeting Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam at the Secretariat.

Talking to journalists, the high commissioner said, “It seems that very soon we will be able to give some good news regarding the Maitree Express.”

He added, “Very soon we will be able to give a fixed date.”

Trivedi said the two sides were also discussing ways to improve transport connectivity between Bangladesh and India. “At present, one route takes six to seven hours. The minister has discussed how we can reduce that by three hours. Technical discussions are taking place on this issue and on the Padma Bridge,” he said.

“Meetings are still ongoing,” he added.

Asked about the extradition of convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Trivedi declined to comment, saying Tuesday’s talks concerned “ordinary people” rather than political matters.

Earlier, Sheikh Rabiul Alam said they discussed ongoing projects involving India and the ministries under his responsibility, as well as their progress.

“We discussed how to move forward, how to ensure greater benefits for both countries, and how to expand trade, connectivity and the economy while protecting the interests of both countries,” he said.

He said the discussions focused on trains, roads and land ports, including ways to resume the currently suspended passenger train service.