A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh and Indian Railway allows India to utilize Bangladesh’s rail lines for transporting goods and passengers across its territory. In return, Bangladesh can use Indian rail lines to carry goods and passengers to Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
The agreement, announced during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to India, has sparked speculation in Bangladesh about the potential transportation of military weapons through Bangladeshi rail lines. However, Bangladeshi railway officials have dismissed these concerns, affirming that the contract explicitly prohibits the transportation of destructive goods through Bangladeshi territory.
Additionally, rumors that Indian soldiers might guard their rail wagons were also refuted. Bangladeshi railway authorities confirmed that local law enforcement will secure Indian rail wagons, similar to Bangladeshi wagons, ensuring no outsiders are involved.
The MoU allows India to use existing Bangladeshi rail lines for interstate transport, while Bangladesh gains access to Indian rail lines for reaching Nepal, Bhutan, and other parts of India. There are currently five operational interchange points connecting the two countries’ railway networks: Benapole-Petrapole, Darshana-Gede, Rohanpur-Singhabad, Birol-Radhikapur, and Chilahati-Haldibari. Trial runs between Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) have been completed, with commercial services expected to start soon.
Two additional connectivity projects are under survey: Belonia (India) to Feni (Bangladesh) and Mahisasan (India) to Shahbazpur (Bangladesh). Under the agreement, India will pay Bangladesh for using its rail tracks, which has already generated significant revenue. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, Bangladesh Railway earned Tk117 crore from charges on 982 Indian trains transporting goods.
The agreement is expected to revitalize previous transit agreements with Nepal and Bhutan, signed in 1976 and 1984, respectively. It aims to facilitate easier access for Bangladesh to these neighboring countries and enhance trade and commerce. Bangladeshi trains will enter Nepal via two routes: Rohanpur-Singabad-Roksol-Birganj and Birol-Radhikapur-Jogobani-Bhiratnagar. For Bhutan, the connection will be through the Chilahati-New Jalpaiguri-Hasimara route.
Although Bhutan lacks a rail network, the agreement allows Bangladesh and India to reach Bhutanese borders via the Hasimara rail station, located approximately 20 kilometers from Bhutan’s border city. Additionally, Bangladesh has been granted permission to use the Kokrajhar (Assam) and Gelephu (Bhutan) rail track when it becomes operational.
