In a virtual handing over ceremony held at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi, India, 20 Broad Gauge (BG) locomotives were flagged off to Bangladesh as part of a grant assistance from the Government of India. The ceremony was attended by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways of India, and Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, Minister – Railway of Bangladesh, who joined virtually. The event was also attended by senior officials from both sides.
The handing over of these diesel locomotives fulfills an important commitment made during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh to India in September 2022. The locomotives have been modified to meet the requirements of Bangladesh Railway and will contribute to handling the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.
During the ceremony, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the strong bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh, spanning cultural, social, and economic aspects. He highlighted the proactive role played by the Prime Ministers of both countries in improving various sectors, including rail connectivity and trade. Currently, five Broad Gauge (BG) connectivities are operational between India and Bangladesh, and two more cross-border rail connectivities are under construction and expected to be completed soon.
Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, the Minister of Railway of Bangladesh, expressed gratitude to the Indian government for its support and appreciated the previous grant of 10 locomotives provided by India in June 2020. He mentioned that the locomotives received will enhance both passenger and goods trains in Bangladesh and expressed hope for further collaboration in the railway sector between the two countries.
The rail connectivity between India and Bangladesh has been instrumental in promoting people-to-people contact. Currently, three pairs of passenger trains operate between the two countries, facilitating travel and trade. The trade between India and Bangladesh via rail has been consistently growing, with close to 100 cargo trains exchanged per month and around 2.66 million metric tons of cargo sent to Bangladesh in the last financial year. Various commodities are exported, including stones, foodgrains, China clay, maize, onions, and other essential items.
The Indian government remains committed to improving rail services in Bangladesh, and the previous grant of 10 BG Diesel locomotives has contributed to the smooth movement of rail traffic in Bangladesh.