After five months, Mitali Express returns to India

INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

After being suspended for almost five months, the Mitali Express, the inter-country train that runs between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri in India, has resumed operations. According to Bangladesh Railway sources, the train rakes returned to India on Wednesday morning over the Chilahati-Haldibari border in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar District amidst increased security measures.

Due to political instability in Bangladesh, the Mitali Express, registered as train number 13132/31, was unable to return after departing New Jalpaiguri for Dhaka on July 17. The Bangladeshi Anti-Discrimination Student Movement was the cause of the disturbance. With the help of a Bangladesh Railway engine, the train arrived at India’s Haldibari station from Chilahati in Nilphamari, Bangladesh, according to the Dhaka Tribune newspaper. The engine was taken back to Chilahati after the coaches were turned over to Indian officials in Haldibari.

Launched on June 1, 2022, the Mitali Express is an essential passenger route between the two countries, namely connecting Dhaka with Sikkim and Northern West Bengal. The Maitree Express, which links Dhaka and Kolkata, and the Bandhan Express, which links Khulna and Kolkata, are the two additional passenger trains that run between India and Bangladesh in addition to the Mitali Express.

The Indian Railway has suspended all three inter-country passenger trains indefinitely due to the worsening law and order situation in Bangladesh. India is home to the Maitree Express and Bandhan Express rakes.