Bandhan Express


The Bandhan Express train is an international express rail service which runs between the Indian city of Kolkata and the Bangladeshi city of Khulna every week. It is the second modern day, fully air conditioned passenger train link between the Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh. The Bengali word Bandhan means bonding when translated to English. It was initially referred to as the Maitree Express II. 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.

History

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; and Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, flagged off the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express train service via video conference from on 9 November 2017.

Naming

After the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express train was operational, it was proposed to name this second India-Bangladesh train on the Kolkata-Khulna route as 'Sonartari'. But the same name is used in the railways and trains of both countries and hence it was omitted. Then the names Sampritee and Bandhan were offered. Finally the name Bandhan meaning Bonding was unanimously accepted.

Route

The route recreates the previous Barisal Express route. The train starts at Kolkata railway station on the Indian side, stopping at Dum Dum and Bangaon before reaching the Indian border at Petrapole. The train then crosses to Benapole on the Bangladeshi side, going through Jhikargachha & Jessore, before reaching Khulna railway station. 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 in order to attract more passengers and 200 tickets are reserved for the passengers from Jessore station.

Timings and frequency

Since its inauguration, the train run only on Thursday but in February 2020, the frequency was increased and now the train runs twice in a week.

Coach composition

Pure LHB Coaches in Red-Grey and Sky blue-grey are used and manufactured in India, are used for this train.
;Legends
LRM/GD/EOG/SLRH-C-
Generator cum luggage vanExecutive Chair AC Chair Car

; Rake composition of 13129 down Kolkata to Khulna
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