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Kolkata:
With Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj scheduled to make her maiden trip to Dhaka this month, the Indian government is planning to propose increased frequency of Maitree Express that runs between Kolkata and Dhaka, along with visa on arrival facility for the passengers. She will also discuss on the Kolkata to Agartala road link via Bangladesh, as it will shorten the road route by about 400 kilometres reducing fuel cost considerably for carrying goods to northeast.
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She will also discuss the issue of using Bangladesh as a transit for the Kolkata-Agartala road link and Kolkata-New Jalpaiguri rail link during her talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, foreign minister A H Mahmood Ali and opposition leader Khaleda Zia. Moreover, using land in Bangladesh for some new rail links will also be discussed.
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The Maitree Express was introduced in 2008, while Kolkata-Dhaka bus service is on since 1999. The Dhaka to Agartala bus service is operational since 2001. The increased frequency of Maitree Express is being planned for enhancing trade and cultural ties with Dhaka. The Narendra Modi government is keen to have better access to northeast through Bangladesh.
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Earlier too, Indian and Bangladeshi officials had tried to negotiate on plying commercial vehicles through Bangladesh, as part of promoting bilateral trade. This will mean reduced transport cost for the Indian business community and additional revenues for Bangladesh as India will be using their highways.
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However, Sushma's success depends much on making Hasina agree to the proposal of using Bangladesh land as transit for Indian vehicles. But for that, India needs to share Teesta water with Bangladesh, as it is a major issue for Hasina. Though it is on the agenda, diplomats are keeping their fingers crossed keeping in mind the sensitivity of the issue.
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The Maitree Express now runs twice a week. The train under Indian Railways leaves Kolkata on Tuesday to return on Wednesday carrying passengers from Dhaka. The Bangladeshi rake leaves Dhaka on Friday and again leaves Kolkata with passengers from here on Saturday. There are plans to run the Maitree Express thrice a week.
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The train had over 80% occupancy during the past three months. The train takes over 10 hours to reach Dhaka after Customs and immigration checks at Gede in India and Darshana in Bangladesh.
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For connecting north Bengal to Kolkata via Bangladesh, the option of using an old route via Hardinge bridge on river Padma will be discussed.
