Bangladesh and Indian authorities Sunday agreed that the much-awaited Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service would whistle-start on Pahela Baishakh, a day when people at both ends will go on euphoric celebrations of the Bengali New Year, reports UNB.

The decision came from a bilateral meeting between Communications Advisor Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader and Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty at the Communications Ministry.

During meeting, Chakravarty urged the Bangladesh government to also start container rail service between two countries after the launch of passenger train service on the cross-border route.

Communications Secretary Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, foreign secretary Md Towhid Hossain and additional secretary of the Communications Ministry ATK Ismail were present the meeting.

Talking to reporters after the meet, the Indian High Commissioner said that he discussed bilateral issues with the communications adviser. "We are trying to ensure Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service from April 14 (Pahela Baishakh).

Though some infrastructures are yet to complete, but it would be finished within a short period," Chakravarty said. Responding to a query, he told the journalists that fencing boxes on no man''s land would not create any problem for starting off the rail communications.

The High Commissioner hoped that the relationship between the two countries would strengthen after the launching of the train service connecting the capitals of Bangladesh and the West Bengal State of India.

Briefing the newsmen, Communications Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said that a three-day bilateral talk between the two countries would start on April 1 and the authorities of both the governments sign the agreement on the Dhaka-Kolkata train service. "Some infrastructures regarding the launch of the train service between two countries would be completed within a short time," he said.

Responding to a query, Rahman said Bangladesh would also construct fencing boxes near zero line and it would be started at an appropriate time.

The Communications Secretary said that the two-way Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train would run once a week, and "there should be no reason for delaying the train service".

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