... On the Border
Though coaches, tracks and staff required to run the train are ready, the vexed issue of fencing the no-man's land has stalled the inaugural run till date.
While Indian authorities insist on fencing off the no-man's land at Indo-Bangla border for custom and immigration clearance, Bangladesh, it is learnt, has reservation about it.
Tentatively named as Maitree Express, the train will have 14 coaches including AC coaches and pantry car and cover about 400 km distance between Chitpur (Kolkata) to Joydevpur (Dhaka) in 14 hours. "It is a non-stop train and though the journey will take only eight hours, the Custom and immigration clearance at both sides will take six hours.
"The ticket rate is fixed at Rs 450 per person tentatively. However, a final decision is likely to be taken soon,” said the official.
While Indian authorities insist on fencing off the no-man's land at Indo-Bangla border for custom and immigration clearance, Bangladesh, it is learnt, has reservation about it.
Tentatively named as Maitree Express, the train will have 14 coaches including AC coaches and pantry car and cover about 400 km distance between Chitpur (Kolkata) to Joydevpur (Dhaka) in 14 hours. "It is a non-stop train and though the journey will take only eight hours, the Custom and immigration clearance at both sides will take six hours.
"The ticket rate is fixed at Rs 450 per person tentatively. However, a final decision is likely to be taken soon,” said the official.