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Bandhan Express

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Bandhan Express
Overview
Service typeAC Express
First service9 November 2017;6 years ago(2017-11-09)
Current operator(s)West ZoneofBangladesh Railway&Eastern Railway zoneofIndian Railway
Route
TerminiKolkata(KOAA)
Khulna(KLNB)
Stops3
Distance travelled172 km (107 mi)
Average journey time5 hours 20 mins
Service frequencyBi-weekly
Train number(s)13129/13130
On-board services
Class(es)Executive Class(EC)
AC Chair Car (CC)
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesNo
Entertainment facilitiesNo
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm(5 ft 6 in)
Route map
km
0.0
Kolkata
Dum Dum Junction
Barasat Junction
Bangaon Junction
78.3
Petrapole
India–Bangladesh border
81.9.0
Benapole
116.7.0
Jessore Junction
172.3.0
Khulna

TheBandhan Expresstrain (Bengali:বন্ধন এক্সপ্রেস) is an international express rail service which runs between the Indian cityKolkataand theBangladeshicityKhulnaevery week. It is the second modern day, fully air conditioned passengertrain linkbetween the Indian stateWest Bengaland Bangladesh. The Bengali wordBandhanmeansbondingwhen translated to English. It was initially referred to as theMaitree ExpressII. A valid visa and passport is required before purchasing a ticket for the Bandhan Express train. Tickets are available atKhulna railway stationin Bangladesh and atChitpur Stationin Kolkata, India.

The commercial run of this train was suspended in the wake of the globalCOVID-19 pandemicsince March 2020. However, the train resumed its normal operations from 29 May 2022.[1][2]Together with theMaitree Expresstrain and theMitali Expresstrain, the Bandhan Express train is one of three modern day fully air conditioned passengertrain linksbetween the India and Bangladesh.

History

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Prime Minister of India,Narendra Modi;Prime Minister of Bangladesh,Sheikh Hasina;andChief Minister of West Bengal,Mamata Banerjee, flagged off the Kolkata–Khulna Bandhan Express train service via video conference fromKolkataon 9 November 2017.[3]

Naming

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After the Kolkata–DhakaMaitree Expresstrain was operational, it was proposed to name this second India–Bangladesh train on the Kolkata–Khulna route as 'Sonartari'.[3]But the same name is used in the railways and trains of both countries and hence it was omitted. Then the namesSampriteeandBandhanwere offered. Finally the nameBandhanmeaningBondingwas unanimously accepted.[3]

Route

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The route recreates the previousBarisal Expressroute. The train starts atKolkata railway stationon the Indian side, stopping atDum DumandBangaonbefore reaching the Indian border atPetrapole.The train then crosses toBenapoleon the Bangladeshi side, going throughJhikargachha&Jessore,before reachingKhulna railway station.[4][5]There are no immigration or customs checks at the international border between India and Bangladesh for this train. The immigration process is done in Kolkata and Khulna. A valid visa and passport is required before purchasing a ticket for the Bandhan Express train. Tickets are available at Khulna Railway Station in Bangladesh and at Chitpur Station in Kolkata, India.

On 8 March 2019 both Government agreed to make a 3-minute halt at Jessore in order to attract more passengers and 200 tickets are reserved for the passengers from Jessore station.[6][7]

Timings and frequency

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Since its inauguration, the train only ran on Thursdays but from February 2020, the frequency was increased and now it runs twice a week, Sunday and Thursday.[8]

Coach composition

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PureLHB coachin red-grey (used byRajdhani Expresses) and sky blue-grey (used byShatabdi Expresses) manufactured in India, are used for this train.

  • It comprises 4 Executive Chair (EC), 4 AC Chair car (CC) and 2 Generator cum luggage cum guard van, hence, a total of 10 coaches.
Legends
LRM/GD/EOG/SLR H- C-
Generator cum luggage van Executive Chair (EC) AC Chair Car (CC)
Rake composition of 13129 down Kolkata to Khulna
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
EOG H1 H2 H3 H4 C1 C2 C3 C4 EOG
  • while 13130 up Khulna to Kolkata has reverse rake composition of 13130
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See also

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References

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  1. ^"Bangladesh bound Maitree, Bandhan Express to resume soon: Check details".NEWS9LIVE.21 May 2022.Retrieved28 May2022.
  2. ^"Passenger Train Services Between India and Bangladesh to Resume from May 29; Check Details".News18.19 May 2022.Retrieved28 May2022.
  3. ^abc"Prime Minister of India & Prime Minister of Bangladesh Jointly along with Chief Minister, West Bengal Flag off New Cross-Border Train between India & Bangladesh," Kolkata–Khulna Bandhan Express "..."(Press release). Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Railways. 9 November 2017.Retrieved10 November2017.
  4. ^"Maitree Express-II chugged across India, Bangladesh border amid cheers, applause".Indo-Asian News Service.Firstpost.8 April 2017.Retrieved13 April2017.
  5. ^"Sheikh Hasina visit: Maitree Express to be made fully AC, new passenger service to be announced".The Indian Express.Press Trust of India.7 April 2017.Retrieved13 April2017.
  6. ^"Kolkata–Khulna train: After 52 years you can now buy ticket to Bangladesh; all you need to know".India Today.
  7. ^৫৪ বছর পরে যশোর থেকে কলকাতার ট্রেন.Anandabazar Patrika(in Bengali).Retrieved15 March2019.
  8. ^মৈত্রী ও বন্ধন ট্রেনের যাত্রার সংখ্যা এক দিন বাড়ল.Prothom Alo(in Bengali). 5 February 2020.Retrieved20 February2020.
  9. ^ab"Bandhan Express/13129 Time Table/Schedule: Kolkata to Khulna ER/Eastern Zone – Railway Enquiry".India Rail Info.Retrieved20 February2020.
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