India suspends train services to Bangladesh indefinitely

Both Maitri Express and Bandhan Express were initially cancelled from July 19, 2024, to August 6, 2024, they said. However, due to the prevailing situation in Bangladesh, the cancellation has been extended indefinitely, the officials said. The service of Mitali Express also stands suspended indefinitely, according to the Indian Railways.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned and left the country while Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced an interim government was taking over in dramatic developments amid massive violent protests there. “Mitali Express, which runs between New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka, went to Dhaka on July 17, 2024, but it didn’t return after that,” the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Katihar told PTI.

He added, “The train has 10 coaches owned by Indian Railways but since these coaches were used in that particular train only, there is no inconvenience of any sort to us. The train’s loco used to be changed at the border. So when it enters Bangladesh, they attach their own engine to the train replacing ours.”

Maitri runs between Dhaka and Kolkata while the bi-weekly Bandhan Express operates between Khulna and Kolkata.