Indian co-op sought for rail link between Dhaka and Kathmandu
HT Imam meets Mamata
Dhaka has sought cooperation from New Delhi to introduce rail service between Bangladesh and Nepal, and resumption of train communication between Dhaka and Shiliguri of India, communications ministry officials said.
HT Imam, adviser to prime minister Sheikh Hasina, discussed the issues with Indian railway minister Mamata Banerjee in the first week of July.
They agreed that the two next-door neighbours need to expedite the process of increasing connectivity in the region, officials said.
At present, there is no rail network between Dhaka and Katmandu while the Dhaka-Shiliguri rail service has been remained snapped since 1965 after a war between India and Pakistan.
Imam, who visited India following a special directive from the prime minister, also asked the communications ministry to start work on the issues on a priority basis as the government initiated a programme to reform the country's railway.
The country has already received a loan of $500 million from Asian Development Bank for implementing the railway reform programme. The Manila-based lending agency has been campaigning for a greater connectivity in South Asia through roads and railways.
Communications minister Syed Abul Hossain told New Age that the government has been pursuing a policy to enhance connectivity for facilitating greater trade and economic activities in the region.
'The ministry will do everything to carry forward the policy stance,' he said.
Dhaka's fresh initiative for rail link with Katmandu came at a time when Bangladesh's roadway trade with Nepal through Indian territories faces hurdles from Indian customs at Banglabandha land port.
Bangladesh's proposal for making Mongla Port a hub for serving landlocked Nepal and Bhutan has not yet received any response from India.
The communications minister, however, said someone has to come forward and take the initiative. 'Otherwise, the barriers won't be removed,' he said.
He pointed out that the resumption of Dhaka-Shiliguri rail service is essential and will be lucrative for trade activities. The resumption of the rail link will further strengthen communication between Bangladesh and India after the introduction of Dhaka-Kolkata direct train service.
HT Imam sought 100 broad-gauge coaches and 10 diesel-run locomotives from India which has one of the world's extensive rail networks, communications ministry officials said.
The coaches will be built at the Saidpur railway workshop in Bangladesh with technical and manpower supports from the Indian railway, they informed.
The PM's adviser also sought financial assistance from India to build railroad between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar.
India earlier proposed a railway link between Agartala of its Tripura state and Chittagong via Akhaura mainly to give its northeast states an access to sea. The proposal was also raised at the SAARC transport ministers' meeting in Colombo on July 25, where Bangladesh said it needs to study the proposal which would require upgrading of the railway's eastern zone to broad-gauge.
At the meeting, India also mooted an idea of running a trial train between Lahore and Katmandu through Bangladesh's territories. http://www.newagebd.com/2009/aug/06/front.html |