India Reluctant to Resume Train Services

Passenger train services between Bangladesh and India remain suspended. The disruption has now stretched to 23 months. Much has happened during this period. Diplomatic tensions emerged between Bangladesh and India, although the situation has now become considerably more normal than before. The Indian Visa Application Center in Dhaka has resumed operations. After nearly two years, India has also announced the resumption of tourist visas for Bangladeshis.

On Thursday, India's new High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi, said the process would begin from Sunday. Many see the move as a significant step forward in improving bilateral relations. At the same time, however, questions have arisen about when the suspended passenger train services between the two countries will resume. Dhaka has recently sent at least three letters to New Delhi urging the restoration of train services. Yet India has not responded to a single letter, let alone agreed to restart the trains.

Meanwhile, the annual Bangladesh-India intergovernmental railway meeting has also remained stalled. Bangladesh had hoped to raise the issue of passenger train services at the meeting and seek a resolution. But with the meeting yet to take place, that avenue has also closed. Various sources provided these details while discussing the latest developments regarding the resumption of passenger train operations.

In July 2024, amid heightened tensions surrounding the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the then Awami League government suspended train services across the country. The three cross-border passenger trains operating between Bangladesh and India also stopped running at that time. The interim government took office in August of that year. Since then, Bangladesh has formally written to India three times seeking the resumption of the Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express passenger trains. However, reliable sources said India has refused to restart the services, citing ‘security concerns’.

Agamir Somoy spoke with two senior officials of the Traffic Commercial Department of the Indian Railway Board on condition of anonymity. According to them, “The Indian Railway Board believes passenger train services with Bangladesh do not generate significant commercial benefits for India. They are viewed more as symbolic links of friendship and goodwill. The central government does not yet see that spirit of goodwill at its previous level, which may explain why passenger train services have not resumed.”

One Indian Railway Board official said, “Freight trains are operating, buses are running, and airlines are carrying passengers. So why should trains not operate? This is entirely under the control of the central government. We also want train services to resume, but without a green signal from the government, no discussion will succeed.”

Bangladesh Railways Ministry Secretary Mohammad Fahimul Islam declined to comment on the matter. He only said, “We are fully prepared to resume train services. We have sent multiple letters. But how can trains operate unless both countries reach an agreement?” Asked why the intergovernmental meeting continues to face delays, he replied, “The meeting will take place at a convenient time for both countries.”

Communication expert and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Professor Mohammad Hadiuzzaman believes diplomatic engagement remains the only way to restore train services. He said the issue is important for citizens of both countries. “Cross-border trains are not merely a mode of transportation; they are also symbols of the bond between the two countries. Any obstacles to restarting the services must be resolved through dialogue. However, while Bangladesh has shown repeated initiatives to resume the trains, similar efforts are not visible from India. India also needs to take the initiative.”

The 38th Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting (IGRM), which was scheduled for March to discuss various key issues related to bilateral railway connectivity between Bangladesh and India, did not take place. Authorities later considered holding it in June, but that plan also fell through. However, officials held two preparatory meetings ahead of the proposed IGRM.

On October 6 last year, officials held a preparatory meeting to finalize the agenda for the intergovernmental meeting. According to the decisions taken there, Bangladesh would send another letter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following up on previous correspondence regarding the resumption of the Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express services. Bangladesh also planned to formally propose that Indian Railways attach luggage vans to cross-border passenger trains to accommodate excess passenger baggage.

The Railway Ministry would also seek government approval for launching a train service on the Rajshahi-Kolkata route. Bangladesh later sent a letter to the Indian government regarding the proposed Rajshahi-Kolkata train service and also requested the resumption of the suspended trains. However, none of those letters received a response.

Bangladesh Railway Director General Mohammad Afzal Hossain said, “We sent the latest letter about three months ago. We have not received any reply yet. At the moment, I do not see any situation that would require another letter. However, if the government wants, we will take the initiative again.”

Sources said Bangladesh plans to route the Maitree Express through the Padma Bridge. Railway authorities are expected to send a formal proposal to Indian Railways soon. The proposal will include plans for nighttime train operations and the construction of a crossover on the up line.

A senior Railway Ministry official said Bangladesh Railway contacted the Indian Railway Board several times in August 2024 regarding the resumption of passenger train services. However, India showed little interest. In response to a letter sent by Bangladesh Railway’s Operations Department on August 19 that year, India approved the resumption of freight train services. Bangladesh received the no-objection clearance for freight operations the same night. Earlier, the Railway Ministry had requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take the necessary steps to restart the three passenger train services.

Bangladesh suspended passenger train services with India on July 18, 2024, amid unrest linked to the student movement. Although train services resumed nationwide on August 12, the three cross-border passenger trains have remained idle ever since. Of the eight rail interchange points between Bangladesh and India, five remain operational.

Passenger trains had regularly operated on three of those routes. The Mitali Express last arrived at Dhaka Cantonment Station from New Jalpaiguri on the night of July 17, 2024. The train was scheduled to depart for New Jalpaiguri the following night from Dhaka Cantonment. However, the situation prevented the journey from taking place. The empty rake of the Mitali Express remained stranded at Dhaka Railway Station for an extended period before authorities moved it to the Indian border under special security arrangements. Like the Mitali Express, the Maitree Express on the Dhaka-Kolkata route and the Bandhan Express on the Khulna-Kolkata route also remain suspended.

Asked what diplomatic initiatives Bangladesh could take, an official from the South Asia Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded on condition of anonymity. He said, “The Railway Ministry must take the primary initiative. We will play our role in implementing its recommendations. However, India did not respond positively to previous efforts. As a result, the matter is no longer limited to train services alone. It has moved to the level of broader expectations and interests between the two governments. It is clear that the Indian government is not seeking anything immediately. The next steps will depend on what the Bangladesh government decides to do.”