(a) whether there have been talks between India and Bangladesh on train services to Dhaka
and other matters as published in Business Line dated August 2, 2007;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken/proposed to be taken in this regard ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) to (c) An agreement for running of Passenger Train Service between Sealdah and Jamuna
Bridge was signed in 2001 and during the visit of Minister of External Affairs to Dhaka on
February 19, 2007, Bangladesh agreed for early operationalisation of Sealdah (Kolkata)-
Joydevpur (Dhaka) passenger train service. This was reiterated by both sides in the Inter-
Governmental Railway Meeting held in Dhaka in March 2007.
On 8th July, 2007, the Indian side conducted a trial run of the passenger train. In
the Inter-Governmental Meeting held on July 9-10, 2007 in Dhaka, both sides expressed their
willingness to commence the commercial operation of the passenger train as early as possible
subject to other relevant related concerns being addressed to mutual satisfaction. Bangladesh
side also conducted their trial run service on July 29, 2007. However, regular traffic is
yet to commence.