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{{Short description|Maitree Express train service connecting Bangladesh to the Indian state of West Bengal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name               = Maitree Express
| image              = File:Maitri Express.jpg
| image_width        = 
| caption            = Inauguration of Maitree Express train of the [[Bangladesh Railway]] on 14 April 2008
| type               = [[AC Express (Indian Railways)|AC Express]]
| status             = Temporarily non-operational
| locale             = 
| first              = {{start date and age|df=yes|2008|04|14}}
| last               = {{start date and age|df=yes|2024|07|19}}
| operator           = [[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern (West Bengal) Railway zone]] of [[Indian Railways]] & [[Bangladesh Railway]]
| ridership          = 
| start              = {{stnlnk|Kolkata}} (KOAA)
| stops              = 3
| end                = {{stnlnk|Dhaka Cantonment}} (DHCA)
| distance           = {{convert|400|km|mi}}
| journeytime        = 8 hours 50 minutes
| frequency          = 5 days
| class              = [[Indian Railways coaching stock|1st AC]] (1A) <br> AC Chair Car (CC)
| seating            = Yes
| sleeping           = Yes
| autorack           = 
| catering           = Yes
| observation        = 
| entertainment      = No
| baggage            = 
| otherfacilities    = 
| stock              = 2 [[LHB coach|LHB]] rakes. 1 rake each of Indian & 1 Bangladeshi type
| gauge              = [[broad gauge]]({{track gauge|1676mm}})
| el                 = 
| trainnumber        = 13107/13108/13109/13110
| speed              = {{convert|45|kph|mph}}
| map                = {{routemap|inline=1|map=
~~km~~
KBHFa~~0~~{{stnlnk|Kolkata}}
BHF~~114~~{{stnlnk|Gede}}
STR+GRZq~~ ~~ ~~India and [[Bangladesh]] border
BHF~~118~~{{stnlnk|Darshana}}
KBHFe~~400~~{{stnlink|Dhaka Cantonment}}
}}
}}
{{Transport in Dhaka}}
{{Contains special characters|Bengali}}
The '''''Maitree Express''''' (13109/13110) train ({{langx|bn|মৈত্রী এক্সপ্রেস}}), often pronounced '''Moitree Express''', was the first express train service connecting [[Dhaka]] in [[Bangladesh]] to [[Kolkata]] in the Indian state of [[West Bengal]]. The Bengali name ''Maitree Express'' means ''Friendship Express'' when translated to English, denoting the significance of the train service to the friendly foreign relations between India and Bangladesh.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7345724.stm|title= Dhaka-Calcutta train link resumes|publisher=BBC News|date=14 April 2008| access-date=17 April 2008}}</ref> Previously train services [[Transport between India and Bangladesh#Rail links|between the two countries]] existed before the partition of India by the British and the ''Maitree Express'' re-established this connection between Dhaka and Kolkata in 2008 after being closed for 43 years.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-14/india/27746168_1_kolkata-and-dhaka-passenger-train-services-kolkata-dhaka-moitree-express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020100744/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-14/india/27746168_1_kolkata-and-dhaka-passenger-train-services-kolkata-dhaka-moitree-express|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2012|title=Kolkata–Dhaka Moitree Express flagged off|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 April 2008| access-date=17 April 2008}}</ref> In 2017, a second train service, the [[Bandhan Express]], was inaugurated connecting Kolkata with the Bangladeshi city of [[Khulna]], recreating the previous [[Barisal Express]] train route.<ref name="fp-2017-me2">{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/maitree-express-ii-chugged-across-india-bangladesh-border-amid-cheers-applause-3374846.html|title=Maitree Express-II chugged across India, Bangladesh border amid cheers, applause|work=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]|date=8 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="ie-2017-me2">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sheikh-hasina-visits-india-narendra-modi-new-rail-passenger-service-to-be-announced-4603357/|title=Sheikh Hasina visit: Maitree Express to be made fully AC, new passenger service to be announced|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=7 April 2017| access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref> A valid visa and passport is required beforehand to purchase a ticket for the Maitree Express train. Tickets are available at [[Dhaka Cantonment railway station]] in Bangladesh and at [[Kolkata railway station|Chitpur Station]] in Kolkata, India. Together with the [[Bandhan Express]] train and the [[Mitali Express]] train, the Maitree Express train is one of three modern day fully air conditioned passenger [[Transport_between_India_and_Bangladesh|train links]] between India and Bangladesh.

[[File:Maitree Express (Bangladesh).webm|thumb|Maitri Express Crossing time [[Poradah Junction railway station|Poradah Junction]]]]

The commercial run of this train was suspended in the wake of the global [[COVID-19 pandemic]] since March 2020. However, the train resumed its service again from 29 May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh bound Maitree, Bandhan Express to resume soon: Check details |url=https://www.news9live.com/utility/bangladesh-bound-maitree-bandhan-express-to-resume-soon-check-details-171584 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=NEWS9LIVE |date=21 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Passenger Train Services Between India and Bangladesh to Resume from May 29; Check Details |url=https://www.news18.com/news/auto/passenger-train-services-between-india-and-bangladesh-to-resume-from-may-29-check-details-5204455.html |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=News18 |date=19 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Since 19 July 2024, the service was suspended indefinitely due to political unrest in Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2024 |title=India suspends train services to Bangladesh indefinitely |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-suspends-train-services-to-bangladesh-indefinitely-9496857/ |access-date=1 July 2025 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Kolkata Station.JPG|thumb|right|[[Kolkata railway station]], India]]
The [[Partition of India]] in 1947 disrupted rail links in the province of [[Bengal]], which was divided into the Indian state of [[West Bengal]] and the Pakistani province of [[East Bengal]] (later renamed [[East Pakistan]] in 1956). During British rule over the undivided land, regular over-night trains connected [[Kolkata]], [[Goalundo Ghat|Goalanda]], [[Dhaka]] and [[Narayanganj]]. In addition pre-partition, ''[[Darjeeling Mail]]'' connecting Kolkata (''[[Sealdah railway station|Sealdah Station]]'') with [[Siliguri]] ran through what became East Pakistan via {{stnlnk|Gede}}–{{stnlnk|Darshana}} and {{stnlnk|Chilahati}}–{{stnlnk|Haldibari}}. Three train services from Sealdah—''[[East Bengal Mail]]'' to {{stnlnk|Parbatipur Junction}} via Gede-Darshana, ''[[East Bengal Express]]'' to [[Goalundo Ghat]] via Gede-Darshana, and the ''[[Barisal Express]]'' to [[Khulna]] via [[Benapole]]–[[Petrapole]]—continued operation between the two countries until 1965, when the outbreak of the [[Indo-Pakistani Conflict of 1965]] led to the closure of all passenger train links.<ref name="TOI"/> The [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] resulted in the independence of East Pakistan as the nation-state of [[Bangladesh]]. The ''Maitree Express'' follows the same route as the first two trains above via Gede-Darshana.

===Revival===
[[File:Maitri Express train.jpg 01.jpg|thumb|The Maitri Express]]
In 2001, the two national governments agreed upon the railway train scheme during [[bilateralism|bilateral]] talks. The train service concept got a major boost during the visit of the then Indian Foreign Minister, [[Pranab Mukherjee]], to Dhaka in February 2007. On 8 July 2007, the first train ran from Kolkata to Dhaka in a test run, carrying Indian government officials who were to meet their Bangladeshi counterparts to finalise train schedules.<ref name="BBC4">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6281710.stm|title=First India–Bangladesh train link|last=Sudworth |first=John|publisher=BBC News|date=8 July 2007|access-date=17 April 2008}}</ref> In response to [[INDIA|Indian]] security demands, a "box-fencing" system was to be erected on either side on the [[no-man's land]] between the two countries.<ref name="TOI2">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-12/india/27744788_1_kolkata-dhaka-train-service-poila-boishakh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020100753/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-12/india/27744788_1_kolkata-dhaka-train-service-poila-boishakh|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2012|title=Kolkata–Dhaka train service to resume on Bengali New Year|date=12 April 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=17 April 2008}}</ref> The inauguration of the train service was held on the occasion of the [[Bengali New Year]] ({{langx|bn|পহেলা বৈশাখ}}) 14 April 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news/world/video/166000/bb/166080_16x9_bb.asx?ad=1&ct=50|title=A Report from Dhaka to Kolkata on the first operation day|publisher=BBC News, watching available by Windows Media Player|access-date=20 April 2008}}</ref>
[[File:Chitpur.JPG|thumb|right|Kolkata Station, where the train departs.]]

==Inauguration==
On 14 April 2008, on the occasion of the [[Bengali New Year]], the train service was launched with much fanfare. The flag-off ceremony for the first train leaving Kolkata from the [[Kolkata railway station]] in Chitpur was attended by dignitaries such as the Indian Railway Minister [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]]; Information and Broadcasting Minister [[Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi]]; the Governor of West Bengal [[Gopalkrishna Gandhi]]; and the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India [[Liquat Ali Chowdhury]]. The Indian Foreign Minister [[Pranab Mukherjee]] officially flagged-off the inaugural train from Kolkata, bound for Dhaka.<ref name="TOI"/><ref name="TOI2"/> Another train departed at the same time carrying passengers from Dhaka to Kolkata. But the 360-seater Calcutta to Dhaka express train was carrying barely 65 passengers, including journalists and politicians, on its inaugural run. [[Indian Railways]] officials stated that the train service was launched hurriedly, and that when information would spread there would be a greater response and passenger numbers.<ref name="BBC"/> An official statement from the Indian [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]] said, "The agreement will strengthen bilateral relations and provide an alternative mode of passenger transport."<ref name="TOI2"/>

=== Public perception ===
The inauguration of the train service evoked mixed public responses in both countries.<ref name="BBC"/> Thousands of people gathered along the train route from Kolkata up to the border crossing point in [[Gede, Nadia|Gede]] to cheer the inaugural train. However, a group representing [[Hindu]] refugees from Bangladesh, the [[Nikhil Banga Nagarik Sangha]] (''All Bengal Citizens Committee'') protested the launching of the train service, citing [[Persecution of Hindus#Bangladesh|persecution of Hindus]] in Bangladesh; possible terrorist infiltration into India; and demanding the rehabilitation of Bangladeshi Hindu refugees.<ref name="BBCE"/><ref name="ME">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-14/india/27752879_1_kolkata-dhaka-moitree-express-bangladesh-high-commissioner-aranghata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020100758/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-14/india/27752879_1_kolkata-dhaka-moitree-express-bangladesh-high-commissioner-aranghata|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2012|title=Moitree Express resumes journey after brief halt|date=14 April 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=17 April 2008}}</ref> Police reports stated that 87 people (including 11 women) had been arrested for blocking the train by squatting on the tracks and refusing to move.<ref name="BBC"/><ref name="BBCE">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7338284.stm|title= Excitement mounts over train link|last=Bhaumik|first=Subir|publisher=BBC News|date=9 April 2008|access-date=17 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="ME"/>  Police blamed the group for planting three crude bombs on the route, which were defused a day before the launch on 13 April 2008.<ref name="BBC"/><ref name="ME"/> After this initial incident, this train service has been incident free so far.

==Maitree Express route and operations==
The '''Maitree Express''' runs five days a week. The train travels around {{convert|400|km|mi}} to reach Dhaka from Kolkata. Earlier there were two stops for immigration checks in Kolkata and Dhaka. One in [[Gede, Nadia|Gede]] on the Indian side and the other in [[Darshana, Chuadanga, Bangladesh|Dorshona]] on the Bangladeshi side. Since November 2017 immigration and customs are completed at Dhaka and Kolkata. This has reduced travel time by two and half hours.

It takes around 8 hours 50 minutes to cover the entire stretch. The entire stretch is covered by broad-gauge diesel locomotives. A change of crew and locomotives takes place at Dorshona in Bangladesh. There are two major river crossings, the 100 year old [[Hardinge Bridge]] over the [[Padma River]] and the [[Bangabandhu Bridge]] over the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]]. Both river crossings occur in Bangladesh. Since Pahela Boishakh 2017 ({{langx|bn|পহেলা বৈশাখ}}), 14 April 2017, all coaches have been changed to air conditioned LHB coach thus enhancing the travel experience. From February 2020 the service was made five days a week, instead of four days a week till then, with additional run with BR Rake every Tuesday and Wednesday from Dhaka and Kolkata respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/blog/post/4554352|title = 4554352-0: Increase in frequency of Kolkata Dhaka M 13108/Maitree Express BR – Railway Enquiry}}</ref>

===Train schedule===

Regular train departures are as follows:<ref name="Bangladesh Railway–Maitree Express">{{cite web |title=Maitree Express Schedule |url=http://www.railway.gov.bd/site/page/b849c03e-7d46-49c7-a3bc-f3011cc1b8f0/Maitree-Express-Train- |website=Bangladesh Railway }}</ref>

<div style="text-align:center;">
{| class="wikitable"
!Route!!Day!!Train No.!!Rake
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Dhaka Cantonment railway station|Dhaka]] to {{stnlnk|Kolkata}}
|Friday||13107||[[Bangladesh Railway|BR]]
|-
|Saturday||13110||[[Indian Railways|IR]]
|-
|Sunday||13107||[[Bangladesh Railway|BR]]
|-
|Tuesday||13107||[[Bangladesh Railway|BR]]
|-
|Wednesday||13110||[[Indian Railways|IR]]
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
!Route!!Day!!Train No.!!Rake
|-
| rowspan="5" |Kolkata to Dhaka
| Saturday||13108||[[Bangladesh Railway|BR]]
|-
|Monday||13108||[[Bangladesh Railway|BR]]
|-
|Tuesday||13109||[[Indian Railways|IR]]
|-
|Wednesday||13108||[[Bangladesh Railway|BR]]
|-
|Friday||13109||[[Indian Railways|IR]]
|}</div>

The train starts from Kolkata at 07:15 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] and reaches Dhaka at 16:05 [[Bangladesh Standard Time|BST]] the same day. Similarly, it starts from Dhaka at 08:15 [[Bangladesh Standard Time|BST]] and reaches Kolkata at 16:00 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] the same day. This train's route does not involve any lengthy ferry-crossing pauses or border checks. It is also less costly than the Kolkata to Dhaka air conditioned luxury bus services. Terminal points are {{stnlnk|Dhaka Cantonment}} and {{stnlnk|Kolkata}} (Chitpur) stations respectively. While Kolkata is a true terminal station, it is possible to continue by local train onwards to Dhaka's main station in [[Kamalapur railway station|Kamalapur]] from [[Dhaka Cantonment]] station. The nearest Metro station from Kolkata is [[Shyambazar metro station|Shyambazar]] – a distance of {{convert|2.0|km|mi}}. There is a public bus terminal right outside Kolkata railway station with connectivity to various parts of the city.<ref name="Bangladesh Railway–Maitree Express"/>

===Frequency===
In February 2020, the train's frequency was increased to five days a week. From Kolkata it runs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday while the train leaves Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:মৈত্রী ও বন্ধন ট্রেনের যাত্রার সংখ্যা এক দিন বাড়ল |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/international/article/1638153/ |access-date=20 February 2020 |work=Prothom Alo |date=5 February 2020 |language=bn}}</ref>

==Diplomacy==
The development of the Kolkata–Dhaka train service is akin to that of the ''[[Samjhauta Express]]'' (meaning "Understanding" or "Accord" Express), which connects the Indian capital [[Delhi]] to [[Lahore]] in Pakistan. Both train services were opened to revive rail links between the countries that were disrupted by the partition of India by the British in 1947. Both have been used as symbols of goodwill and cooperation between India and Bangladesh, in the case of the ''Maitree Express'', and India and Pakistan in the case of the ''Samjhauta Express''.

==Challenges==
Earlier the Maitree Express was said to be running at 50% occupancy in 2011. With increase in runs to five days a week, this service has gained popularity.  Better publicity in local media at both terminal cities also could help raise patronage leading to the train becoming a daily service. Despite this, in 2018 patronage has increased and average occupancy is around 90%.

==Booking==
Unlike most of the Indian trains, online booking through the [[IRCTC]] website is not available for this train. Tickets are only available in local currency at the booking counters of Chitpur Station in Kolkata and a valid Bangladeshi visa in the passport is mandatory before purchasing a ticket. The valid visa and passport has to be shown when purchasing the train ticket. While applying for a visa it was earlier essential to specify the port of entry as "By rail-Gede" (for an Indian visa) or "By rail-Darshana"(for a Bangladeshi visa). Tickets will be issued only after issue of the visa. Valid passports must be shown while booking. In case all passengers are not present, an authorisation is required while booking tickets. After both countries started issuing an e-Visa, mentioning specific port and mode of transport is no longer required. Since this is a highly popular train, tickets need to be booked at least 5 or 6 days in advance. As of 18 June 2014, return tickets are available on a predefined number of seats, for up-to two weeks before the date of journey, excluding the journey date. The return tickets have to be validated by going to the station two hours before the departure of the train. The return fare includes only the base fare and all other taxes and service charges have to be paid during the validation of the ticket. This is applicable for return journeys from both Dhaka as well as Kolkata.

Tickets are available in Dhaka from the Main Reservation Counter of Kamalapur railway station. The counter at Dhaka Cantonment is open everyday from 0900 to 1900. A valid visa and passport has to be shown when purchasing the train ticket. In Kolkata tickets may be purchased from the International Ticket Booking Counter at Fairlie Place, Dalhousie Square, and also at Chitpur Station in Kolkata on the day of arrival of the train from Dhaka.<ref name="Bangladesh Railway–Maitree Express" />

==Coach composition==
The train consisting the number 13109/10, is operated by [[Indian Railways]] rake which are purely [[LHB coach]] in red-grey (used by [[Rajdhani Express]] trains) and sky blue-grey (used by [[Shatabdi Express]] trains).

While the train consisting the number 13107/08 is operated using [[Bangladesh Railway]] rake, which are also [[LHB coach]] in dark green livery with white horizontal line.

The train has 10 coaches. 4 AC Executive Class, 4 AC Chair Car and 2 power car brake vans.
;Legends
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! LRM/GD/EOG/SLR !! H- !! C-
|-
| Generator cum luggage van || First AC Sleeper Coach || AC Chair Car (CC)
|}
; Indian rakes

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center:"
|+Rake composition of 13109 Kolkata to Dhaka
! Loco
! style="background:grey;"| 1
! style="background:red;"| 2
! style="background:red;"| 3
! style="background:red;"| 4
! style="background:red;"| 5
! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 6
! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 7
! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 8
! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 9
! style="background:grey;"| 10
|-
|[[File:BSicon LDER.svg|25px]] ||EOG||H1||H2||H3||H4||C1||C2||C3||C4||EOG
|}
* while 13110 Dhaka to Kolkata has reverse rake composition of 13109.

;Bangladeshi rake
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center:"
|+Rake composition of 13107 Dhaka to Kolkata
! Loco
! style="background:#03925e;"| 1
! style="background:#03925e;"| 2
! style="background:#03925e;"| 3
! style="background:#03925e;"| 4
! style="background:#03925e;"| 5
! style="background:#03925e;"| 6
! style="background:#03925e;"| 7
! style="background:#03925e;"| 8
! style="background:#03925e;"| 9
! style="background:#03925e;"| 10
|-
|[[File:BSicon LDER.svg|25px]] ||EOG||A1||A2||A3||A4||B1||B2||B3||B4||EOG
|}
* while 13108 Kolkata to Dhaka has reverse rake composition of 13107.

==See also==
* [[Bandhan Express]]
* [[Mitali Express]]
* [[Samjhauta Express]]
* [[Transport between India and Bangladesh#Rail links]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Maitree Express}}
* [http://www.railway.gov.bd/site/page/b849c03e-7d46-49c7-a3bc-f3011cc1b8f0/মৈত্রী-এক্সপ্রেস-ট্রেনের-সময়সূচি-এবং-ভাড়া Bangladesh Railway - Maitree Express Schedule মৈত্রী এক্সপ্রেস ট্রেনের সময়সূচি এবং ভাড়া]
* [https://i0.wp.com/www.insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/BBIN.jpg?resize=1303%2C859 Map of India-Bangladesh border links]

{{Railways in Eastern India}}
{{Railways in Bangladesh}}
{{Eurasian Land Bridge}}
{{International trains from India}}

[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:International named passenger trains]]
[[Category:Bangladesh–India relations]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2008]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Dhaka]]