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Indo-Bangla railway cargo service under study
Shakhawat Hossain
12/26/2005
Bangladesh is actively examining an Indian proposal -- introduction of direct railway cargo service -- to cut the cost of trade between two next door neighbours.
India has proposed the use of the Jamuna multipurpose bridge for the movement of containerised cargoes.
The ministry of communications has already held a number of meetings with the different government agencies, including the Bangladesh Railway (BR), and discussed the Indian proposal submitted in May last, said a senior official.
"The proposal being a politically sensitive one is likely to be referred to the cabinet committee," he said.
The BR wants a decision of the government first before its taking up actions for building necessary infrastructures to facilitate movement the Indian container trains.
The BR suggested setting up of scanners at the entry point of the border and weighbridge at Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge for ensuring security of the country's one of the most important key point installations.
It also proposed construction of a transshipment yard in between Iswardi and Sirajganj so that the containers can be transferred to meter gauge from the broad gauge. The BR will also need handling equipment.
The Container Corporation of India (CCI) Ltd has agreed to bear the cost of installation of a weighbridge at the one end of the Jamuna Bridge.
In a letter sent September last, the CCI Ltd requested BR to consider its proposal and also conduct a trial run of container train between India and Bangladesh.
The country has recently withdrawn a ban on the import of yarn through Benapole land port which was a longstanding demand of the country's knitwear exporters.
Knitwear association president Fazlur Rahman told the FE Sunday that the container train service, if introduced, would not bring much benefit to the yarn importers.
However, many businessmen, particularly who import goods in bulk, said the direct containers service between India and Bangladesh will benefit them.
India is among the top ten sources of Bangladesh imports.
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