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Villagers disrupt inaugural run of restored train service
The India-Bangladesh Moitree (Friendship) Express was flagged off from here yesterday, restoring rail links between the countries after 43 long years.
- IANS
- Published: 23:58 April 14, 2008
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India-Bangladesh train link resumes
India-Bangladesh passenger train link back after 40 years
Kolkata: The India-Bangladesh Moitree (Friendship) Express was flagged off from here yesterday, restoring rail links between the countries after 43 long years.
However, it was disrupted for about five minutes after villagers, who believe the service will increase infiltration blocked the track in West Bengal's Nadia district.
"There was an agitation near Gede in Nadia district, close to Bangladesh border, by some villagers. They are against the rail service because they feel it will lead to a rise in infiltration. The demonstrators blocked the track and managed to halt the train for five minutes," West Bengal Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said.
Arrested
"We arrested about 90 people and removed the blockade immediately," he added.
The trains will run twice a week, on Saturday and Sunday, connecting Kolkata with Dhaka. Two trains will start from each station the same day. The Indian train can carry 368 passengers and the one from Bangladesh 418.
The 538 km journey through the Darshana border, covering 418 km in Bangladesh and 120 km in India, will take about 13 to 14 hours.
The bi-weekly train will leave Kolkata every Saturday and Sunday at 7.10am and reach Dhaka on same day at 8.30pm Bangladesh Standard Time.
Tickets, priced at $8 and $20, can be bought with Indian currency as well.
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