By NNN-PTI
Dhaka : Bangladesh said it expected that the proposed rail network connecting Dhaka and Kolkata would be launched soon as the Indian envoy here met the new communication adviser of the interim government.
“Both of them agreed that some minor disputes could be solved soon to launch the regular train service,” said an official release after the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty called on Communication Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader Thursday.
The outstanding disputes on resuming the direct rail connection the two countries, supposed to be started by mid August last year, included frequency of the service, immigration procedures and security issues.
In July 2007, Bangladesh and India nearly finalised the agreement to launch the direct train service between Dhaka and Kolkata during a two-day meeting in Dhaka after the “Moitree Express”, reached here on its first trial run from the West Bengal capital.
The two sides agreed at the meeting that Bangladesh would accomplish the customs and other formalities at the Dhaka Cantonment Station, while India would do it at the border of the two countries.
“Bangladesh wanted the immigration and custom formalities to be accomplished at the originating stations to save journey time and make it comfortable while the Indian officials suggested it be done at Gede, the Indian side of the border,” a railway official earlier said.
The Indian delegation at that time also proposed erection of box-type fencing along the 150-metre route in the international border and immigration.