India test runs first container train to Bangladesh

India today led a test run of the first containerised freight train between Bangladesh and India in order to boost cross-border trade.

The container train that started from Kolkata for Bangladesh arrived at Darshana around 6:00 pm, our Kushtia correspondent reports quoting Liakat Ali, station master of Darshana International Railway Station in Chuadanga upazila of Khulna.

Read more: India calls for cross-border container train service

Bangladeshi high official will receive the container train at the Bangabandhu Bridge West Railway Station upon its arrival to Sirajganj tomorrow, Liakat said.

“The train will stop for tonight at Darshana station and will go to Bangabandhu Bridge West Railway Station tomorrow” Liakat added.

It is the first time of such a train has moved on trial basis. The train was flagged off from Majherhat railway station of Kolkata of India in the morning by the General Manager, Eastern Railways, Government of India and the CMD of CONCOR.

This is pursuant to the signing of a MoU between the Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) and Container Company of Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) for starting the container services between the two countries during the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in April 2017.

Total 60 containers have been added to the train with loaded off fruits, rice, wheat and fodders. Thirty vehicles for Bangladesh army have also in the container as gift from India.  

It would make the transportation of goods faster and cheaper between the two counties, said a press release issued by High Commission of India in Dhaka today.