2 Trains from (RMR)RAMNAGAR to (HLDD)HALDI ROAD

To further strengthen bilateral relationship, 20 Broad Gauge (BG) locomotives were virtually flagged off to Bangladesh in a handing over ceremony held today at Rail Bhavan New Delhi, by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways. From the Bangladesh end, Minister of Railway, Md. Nurul Islam Sujan also joined in virtually. The event was attended by Shri A.K.Lahoti, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board, Board Members, senior officials of Railway Board and delegates of Bangladesh.

The handing over of these diesel locomotives, under grant assistance from the Government of India, fulfills an important commitment made during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to India, in October, 2019. In keeping with the requirements of Bangladesh Railway, the locomotives have been suitably modified by the Indian side. These locomotives will help handle the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.

Speaking o­n this occasion, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “India’s relationship with Bangladesh is civilizational, cultural, social and economic. Prime Ministers of both the countries are playing proactive role to improve bilateral relationship across social, economic and political sectors. Indian Railways are also playing a vital role in improving and strengthening rail connectivity across the border and improving trade between both the countries. As of now, five BG connectivity are operational, namely Geda- Darsana, Benapol- Petrapol, Singhabad- Rohanpur, Radhikapur- Birol and Haldibari-Chilahati. Work o­n two more cross border rail connectivities, Akhaura-Agartala and Mahihasan-Shahbazpur are progressing well and are likely to be completed and commissioned shortly.”

Addressing the gathering virtually, Minister of Railway, Bangladesh Mr. Md. Nurul Islam Sujan said, “I express my gratitude to the Indian Government for their support. Previously in June 2020 Indian Government provided 10 locomotives to Bangladesh as grant. We express our heartfelt gratitude to India for providing broad gauge locomotives. The supply of locomotives will help to improve both goods and passenger trains. We hope that existing collaboration between two countries regarding Railways sector will increase day by day.”

To enhance people to people contact, presently three pairs of passenger trains between India and Bangladesh, namely, Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express, Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express and New Jalpaiguri- Dhaka Mitali Express are running.

Trade between both the countries via rail have seen consistent growth with interchange of close to 100 cargo trains per month and approximately 2.66 MT cargo was sent to Bangladesh in the last financial year. The export commodities are Stone, DOC, Foodgrains, China Clay, Gypsum, Maize, o­nion and other essential items, as and when required, from India. Since 2020 permission has been given to operate parcel container and NMG rakes which normally carry agricultural products, fabrics, finished goods, light commercial vehicles and tractors. A new traffic of geo-synthetic bags has just started and 3 Parcel trains have been sent from Gujarat.

In line with Indian commitment to improve Rail service in Bangladesh, 10 BG Diesel locomotives were handed over to Bangladesh o­n grant basis in July 2020. As reported by Bangladesh, these locomotives are performing well and contributing well in smooth movement rail traffic in Bangladesh.

EXPERIMENTAL STOPPAGES OF SOME WR TRAINS AT VARIOUS STATIONS EXTENDED

For the convenience of passengers, additional stoppage had been provided to various Western Railway trains at several stations for a period of six months. These additional halts have further been extended o­n existing timings for a further period of six months.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, details of the train is as under:

1.Stoppage for Train No. 12955/12956 Mumbai Central – Jaipur Express at Suwasra stationwhich was earlier notified up to 5^th April, 2023 has now been extended up to 2^nd October, 2023.

2.Stoppage for Train No. 22975/22976 Bandra Terminus – Ramnagar Express at Shamgarh station which was earlier notified up to 10^th April, 2023 has now been extended up to 7^th October, 2023.

3.Stoppage for Train No. 19037/19038 Bandra Terminus – Barauni Avadh Express at Suwasra station which was earlier notified up to 4^thApril, 2023 has now been extended up to 1^st October, 2023.

4.Stoppage for Train No. 19167 Ahmedabad – Varanasi Sabarmati Express at Pipraigaon station which was earlier notified up to 21^st March, 2023 has now been extended up to 17^th September, 2023.

5.Stoppage for Train No. 19168 Varanasi - Ahmedabad Sabarmati Express at Pipraigaon station which was earlier notified up to 20^th March, 2023 has now been extended up to 16^th September, 2023.

6.Stoppage for Train No. 11125 Ratlam - Gwalior Express at Miyana station which was earlier notified up to 22^nd March, 2023 has now been extended up to 18^th September, 2023.

7.Stoppage for Train No. 11126 Gwalior - Ratlam Express at Miyana station which was earlier notified up to 23^rd March, 2023 has now been extended up to 19^th September, 2023.

8.Stoppage for Train No. 21125 Ratlam – Bhind Express at Miyana station which was earlier notified up to 22^nd March, 2023 has now been extended up to 18^th September, 2023.

9.Stoppage for Train No. 21126 Bhind - Ratlam Express at Miyana station which was earlier notified up to 23^rd March, 2023 has now been extended up to 19^th September, 2023.

10.Stoppage for Train No. 11125 Ratlam - Gwalior Express at Badarwas station which was earlier notified up to 23^rd March, 2023 has now been extended up to 19^th September, 2023.

11.        Stoppage for Train No. 11126 Gwalior - Ratlam Express at Badarwas station which was earlier notified up to 24^th March, 2023 has now been extended up to 20^th September, 2023.

12.     Stoppage for Train No. 19307 Indore – Chandigarh Express at Badarwasstation which was earlier notified up to 30^th March, 2023 has now been extended up to 26^th September, 2023.

13.    Stoppage for Train No. 19308 Chandigarh - Indore Express at Badarwasstation which was earlier notified up to 31^st March, 2023 has now been extended up to 27^th September, 2023.

14.Stoppage for Train No. 12465/12466 Indore – Jodhpur Ranthambore Express at Suwasra station which was earlier notified up to 5^thApril, 2023 has now been extended up to 2^nd October, 2023.

For detailed information regarding halts, timings of halts, passengers may please visit  www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in.

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