Moitree Express resumption might pave way for other routes

If the Kolkata-Dhaka Moitree Express can resume a suspended train service between India and Bangladesh almost after 40 year, so why not a similar road link that went into oblivion, could be open. On April 14, when the Moitree Express enters through the Gede border in Nadia, the people, particularly the “Ex-Im” (export-import) merchants of Nadia would ask this question to the officials of the two countries.

The locals claimed that if a stretch of about 3 km between Gede and Tungi, which was abandoned after 1971 war is revived, communications between Kolkata and Dhaka would get a big boost.

They feel that, it would not only boost up the business and economy, but at the same time the existing bus service between Kolkata and Dhaka (“Shyamoli” & “Souhardya”) could also be operated in a better way.

The journey, in case the bus services is resumed, would be less time consuming, enjoyable and above all free from traffic hassles, which the passengers usually encounter on busy Jessore Road or at Benapole border.

As per the new alternative route plan envisaged by the locals, the bus would come directly to Krishnanagar through the NH-34 and then take on the Krishnanagar?Gede road (23 km), which meets the Bangladesh border at Dharampur-Tungi near Gede.

While the road up to Gede is in good condition, only fresh construction of 3 km abandoned stretch between Gede and Tungi would be enough to get the vehicles plying on it. The road crossing the border has met Jeevannagar-Kot Chandanpur road which connects Jhinaidaha-Daulatganj in Bangladesh.

If this road is revived, not only the bus service in parallel to Moitree Express could be operated in a better way, but also the export and import between the two counties would get a big boost. Moreover, it would also reduce the distance between the two cities, in comparison to the Jessore Road-Benapole route, which is being used at present for trade.

Sources said that the revival of this stretch of road is a common demand of the Ex-Im merchants of either side of the border. In India, the Majdia-Daulatganj Export Import Association (MDEIA) has been fighting for this demand since long and had appealed the centre for revival of the stretch.

Biswas of MDEIA said, "We often have no alternative but to use the Benapole or North Bengal border to enter Bangladesh which is quite expensive and time consuming." He further added that recently Abdul Haq, Secretary of Daulatganj C&F Association has made such appeal to the Bangladesh government and also approached the Border Security Force on the matter.

Majdia merchants association President Swapan Bhowmik claimed, "This route will reduce the pressure at Benapole." Local Majdia Gram Panchayet has also approached the state government to get the road service in action, but little has been done so far.

Shedding the responsibility on the issue, a customs official in Gede said, "Principally we have no objection. However, it is matter which can only be at the highest level of the two countries." Moreover, the District Magistrate, Nadia, Omkar Singh Meena is not even aware of any such proposal.

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