After the introduction of parcel train service along with the traditional freight trains, Bangladesh and India have now started container train service - opening a new opportunity for bilateral trade via rail during the pandemic.
The Indian High Commission, after handing over the first container train carrying FMCG cargo and fabrics loaded in 50 containers on Sunday, said this initiative will “substantially boost” business and trade between the two countries.
The two-way trade is around $10 billion, mostly Bangladesh’s imports.
Currently with the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a disruption of the supply chain.
Both sides have taken measures to utilize railway as a viable option for bilateral trade and minimising disruption in bilateral trade.
The Indian High Commission said container train service is an “additional service which is going to transport cargo by rail other than the traditional Freight Trains Service and the recently introduced Parcel Train Service.”
The first container train from India via Benapole - Petrapole rail link carrying FMCG Cargo and Fabrics loaded in 50 containers has been handed over to Bangladesh on Sunday.
The Container Train was flagged off from the Container Corporation of India Ltd’s (CONCOR) terminal at Majerhat, Kolkata, India and it was received at Benapole station.
The Container Train Service will be a permanent service connecting the nominated Inland Container Depots and Terminals of Container Corporation of India Ltd in India and various Stations in Bangladesh Railway’s system.
To start the Container Train Service, Container Corporation of India and the Bangladesh Container Company Ltd. had signed a MoU during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in April 2017.
A trial run was conducted earlier on April 3 in 2018.
