India sets ‘Bhalo’ Trade and Connectivity with Bangladesh, Says Yes for Broad Gauge

 

Economic development should not get crumbled due to any hassle of the pandemic. With the rising trend of coronavirus across the world. India and Bangladesh share a positive relationship over rail transportation across these two nations. According to the sources, it is claimed that this commitment was garnered by these two nations in 2019 at the time when Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina visited India. 

According to the sources, India will hand-over 10-broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh. This will be seen as an alliance between the two nations that will improve assistance to the easter portion. Furthermore, trade and connectivity will improve through India to Bangladesh train and locomotion.  

Contrary to this, China is also keeping pace by developing its ties with Bangladesh. As stated by the sources, it is claimed that China is also working towards expanding its economy on the ‘land of Shonar Bangla’ through road transportation. 

The due development that was set from 2019 between duo nations will get its trains running two-and-fro from both lands which will strengthen international boundaries between India and Bangladesh. This occasion that will enhance India to Bangladesh trains was put up through virtual conferring. The digital meeting from India’s side will be shared by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. 

From Bangladesh’s side, the conference will get connected with Foreign Minister Abdul Kalam Abdul Momen and Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan. 

It is also expected that through this joint-venture, road transport from India to Bangladesh will also get signaled for further development. 

According to the latest news, India, and Bangladesh are jointly working to encourage trade and connectivity between the two nations in terms of rail connectivity. Further, it was also added that the duo is eyeing some giant railway projects that will embrace old meter gauge locomotives. 

Being the two most renowned trains from India to Bangladesh and vice-versa are Maitree Express and Bandhan Express. To enhance more trains and road transportation, this initiative has also been flagged with better intuition and development in both nations. 

As reported by the official sources, ‘A total of 17 railway sector projects have been included in LoC (Line of Credit) assistance extended by India to Bangladesh, with the commitment of US $2.44billion. This was also added that India had offered all LoCs to Bangladesh at a rate of interest 1% per annum and repayment over 20 years with a moratorium of five years.’ 

According to the latest news, India to Bangladesh train for trade and connectivity has been worked upon for quite some time now. Out of 17 railway stations, 9 have been completed including meter gauge locomotives, flat wagons, railway bridges, and signaling equipment. 

There is also a detailed report on trade and connectivity between India and Bangladesh. This includes names and costs of the ongoing railway lines that will get shared between India and Bangladesh. 

Naming a few like: 

Kulaura-Shahbazpur railway line at the cost of US $78 million. 

Khulna-Mongla railway line at the cost of US US$389 million. 

These two connectivity tracks are set to get completed by June 2021. 

Followed by the official statement, it was learned that, “Three other projects at various stages are soon to get implemented. This will include- double-line track, meter gauge line to dual gauge line, and a new dual gauge line.”