Maitree Express may resume soon as Dhaka-Kolkata talks near breakthrough

He said discussions between Bangladesh and India are underway over the resumption of the cross-border passenger train, and a specific date for restarting the service could be announced very soon.

Trivedi made the remarks while speaking to reporters after paying a courtesy call on Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam at the Secretariat today.

''We are travelling by air now, which is a different class altogether. There is no problem there. But ordinary people travel by road and rail. I was a railway minister myself. Being a railway minister means being connected with ordinary people.''

Referring to ordinary passengers, Trivedi recalled a train called the Garib Rath, saying it was designed for people from the lower-income and ordinary sections of society who travel by rail.

''Our responsibility is to ensure that, whatever the reason, if rail services were suspended, freight services were not. I have heard that freight traffic has almost doubled. That is very good news. It means trade is continuing.'' 

Highlighting the growth in freight movement as a positive development, Trivedi said the two countries should explore ways to further expand trade through road, rail and waterways.