India's first International train || Maitree express|| Dhaka-kolkata-Dhaka|| Bangladesh railway||

#bangladeshrailway #maitreeexpress #internationaltraveler #indianrailwaytrain The Maitree Express train (Bengali: মৈত্রী এক্সপ্রেস), pronounced Moitree Express is the first modern day, fully air conditioned, international, express train service connecting Dhaka in Bangladesh to Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Bengali name Maitree Express means Friendship Express when translated to English, denoting the significance of the train service to the friendly foreign relations between India and Bangladesh.[1] Previously train services between the two countries existed before the partition of India by the British and the Maitree Express re-established this connection between Dhaka and Kolkata in 2008 after being closed for 43 years.[2] In 2017 a second train service, the Bandhan Express, was inaugurated connecting Kolkata with the Bangladeshi city of Khulna, recreating the previous Barisal Express train route.[3][4] -Source-Wikipedia In 2001, the two national governments agreed upon the railway train scheme during bilateral talks. The train service concept got a major boost during the visit of the then Indian Foreign Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, to Dhaka in February 2007. On 8 July 2007, the first train ran from Kolkata to Dhaka in a test run, carrying Indian government officials who were to meet their Bangladeshi counterparts to finalise train schedules.[7] In response to Indian security demands, a "box-fencing" system was to be erected on either side on the no-man's land between the two countries.[8] The inauguration of the train service was held on the occasion of the Bengali New Year (Bengali: পহেলা বৈশাখ) 14 April 2008.[9] On 14 April 2008, on the occasion of the Bengali New Year, the train service was launched with much fanfare. The flag-off ceremony for the first train leaving Kolkata from the Kolkata railway station in Chitpur was attended by dignitaries such as the Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav; Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi; the Governor of West Bengal Gopalkrishna Gandhi; and the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Liquat Ali Chowdhury. The Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee officially flagged-off the inaugural train from Kolkata, bound for Dhaka.[2][8] Another train departed at the same time carrying passengers from Dhaka to Kolkata. But the 360-seater Calcutta to Dhaka express train was carrying barely 65 passengers, including journalists and politicians, on its inaugural run. Indian Railways officials stated that the train service was launched hurriedly, and that when information would spread there would be a greater response and passenger numbers.[1] An official statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, "The agreement will strengthen bilateral relations and provide an alternative mode of passenger transport."[8] Unlike most of the Indian trains, online booking through the IRCTC website is not available for this train. Tickets are only available in local currency at the booking counters of Chitpur Station in Kolkata and a valid Bangladeshi visa in the passport is mandatory before purchasing a ticket. The valid visa and passport has to be shown when purchasing the train ticket. While applying for a visa it was earlier essential to specify the port of entry as "By rail-Gede" (for an Indian visa) or "By rail-Darshana"(for a Bangladeshi visa). Tickets will be issued only after issue of the visa. Valid passports must be shown while booking. In case all passengers are not present, an authorisation is required while booking tickets. After both countries started issuing an e-Visa, mentioning specific port and mode of transport is no longer required. Since this is a highly popular train, tickets need to be booked at least 5 or 6 days in advance. As of 18 June 2014, return tickets are available on a predefined number of seats, for up-to two weeks before the date of journey, excluding the journey date. The return tickets have to be validated by going to the station two hours before the departure of the train. The return fare includes only the base fare and all other taxes and service charges have to be paid during the validation of the ticket. This is applicable for return journeys from both Dhaka as well as Kolkata. Tickets are available in Dhaka from the Main Reservation Counter of Kamalapur railway station. The counter at Dhaka Cantonment is open everyday from 0900 to 1900. A valid visa and passport has to be shown when purchasing the train ticket. In Kolkata tickets may be purchased from the International Ticket Booking Counter at Fairlie Place, Dalhousie Square, and also at Chitpur Station in Kolkata on the day of arrival of the train from Dhaka.[13] Source -https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitr... Wikipedia #bangladesh #india