Cross-border trade between Bangladesh and India by railway has long been suffering due to lack of necessary infrastructure facilities. During an inspection of the network the Bangladesh Embassy in Kolkata has identified some problems and urged commerce ministry to rectify the problems at the railway interchange points to enhance further the bilateral trade between the two countries.
There are currently nine interchange railway points between the two countries of which five of them are operational. They are located at Darshana (Bangladesh)-Gede (India), Benapole (Bangladesh)-Petrapole (India), Rohanpur (Bangladesh)-Singhabad (India), Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India), and Chilahati (BD) Haldibari (India).
The Chilahati (BD)-Haldibari (India) rail link, jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Indian in December last year, has been made operational since August 01, 2021.
The embassy has asked for establishing a storage yard at the Rohanpur (Bangladesh)-Singhabad (India) for import of goods from India. It has also suggested facilities at the point to export products to Nepal. The embassy has also urged to set up a storage yard at the Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India) point.
The Bangladesh mission in Kolkata suggested to quickly reopen the closed Shahbazpur (Bangladesh)-Karimganj (India) rail link, as it is a vital interchange point for Bangladeshi traders exporting their goods to the north-eastern part of India.
The mission recommended that the Chilahati (BD)-Haldibari (India) point is vital for carrying Bogie Tank Petrol and Naphtha (BTPN) from the Numaligarh refinery marketing terminal, as it is connected with the railway network of Rangapani via the new Jalpaiguri (Siliguri) to Haldibari route.
According the embassy mission, the interchange point is also convenient for Bhutan transit in view of the close proximity of Bhutan border point to the Indian railway station Hasimara.
The Burimari (Bangladesh)-Chengrabanda (India), Mogolhat (Bangladesh)-Gitaldaha (India) and Shahbazpur (Bangladesh)-Karimganj (India) rail links have been remaining closed since 1965, 1971 and 2002 respectively.
The mission thinks the Burimari-Changrabandha can be used for the Bhutan transit through Hasimara using the Chittagong Port. Goods trains could occasionally run to Bangladesh through the Mogolhat-Gitaldaha route, crossing the bridge over the Mansai River till 1982. But, during the flood in 1998, girders on both sides of the bridge washed away.
The embassy has suggested construction work on the bridge over the Mansai River on the Indian side. Currently, the Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) is under construction. On the other hand, the Feni (BD)-Belonia rail link was shut on August 17, 1997 because of heavy losses.
The commerce ministry officials have acknowledged the suggestions and recommendations made by the Bangladeshi mission regarding the problems at the railway interchange points. The official also said that they are working resolving the issues.
