India and Bangladesh Discuss Resumption of Cross Border Passenger Trains

India and Bangladesh have initiated crucial discussions to restore popular cross-border passenger train services that have been suspended for over two years. A two-day Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting commenced in Dhaka on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, bringing railway officials from both nations together to evaluate the safe resumption of international rail travel. The bilateral talks focus on reviving services like Maitree Express, Bandhan Express, and Mitali Express, which were halted in July 2024 due to widespread political unrest in Bangladesh. While freight operations successfully resumed in February 2025, passenger services have remained non-operational ever since. Here are the key highlights from the ongoing railway meeting:

The Maitree Express was suspended on July 16, 2024, while the Bandhan and Mitali Express services were halted on July 19, 2024.
Officials are discussing a potential new passenger train route connecting Rajshahi and Kolkata.
Bangladesh has proposed rerouting the Maitree Express via the Padma Bridge instead of the Jamuna Bridge.
Passenger train services could officially resume by October 2026 if both governments reach a final consensus.

Path to Restoration

The ongoing discussions in Dhaka are being led by key railway authorities from both countries. Mohammed Nazmul Islam, Additional Director General of Operations for Bangladesh Railways, confirmed that the primary agenda is to evaluate the operational readiness for restarting passenger trains. Additionally, Bangladesh Railway Ministry Secretary Mohammed Faeemul Islam stated that any final decision will require subsequent approvals from the home and foreign ministries of both India and Bangladesh.

New Routes and Infrastructure Changes

Beyond restoring existing links, the meeting is exploring exciting new travel options for passengers. The proposed introduction of a new service between Rajshahi and Kolkata will further boost connectivity for travelers in the region. Furthermore, Bangladesh has expressed keen interest in modernizing travel paths by rerouting the Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express through the newly constructed Padma Bridge, offering a smoother and faster journey compared to the older Jamuna Bridge route.

Regular travelers and railway enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of this two-day summit. If the diplomatic talks progress smoothly and receive the necessary security clearances, passengers could be boarding these historic international trains once again by October 2026.