Bandhan Express Vs Maitree Express / India Bangladesh Train Service / WDM-3A Loco with IR LHB Rake

Maitree Express
The Maitree Express (Hindi: मैत्री एक्सप्रेस), or Moitree Express (Bengali: মৈত্রী এক্সপ্রেস), is the name of international passenger train servies connecting Bangladesh to the Indian state of West Bengal. The name Maitree Express means the Friendship Express, denoting the significance of the train service to the foreign relations between India and Bangladesh. Train services between the two countries existed before the partition of India – the Maitree Express re-established this connection between the Bangladeshi capitals of Dhaka with Kolkata, the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, in 2008 after being closed for 43 years. In 2017, a second train (the Maitree Express-II) was inaugurated connecting Kolkata with the Bangladeshi city of Khulna, recreating the previous Barisal Express route.

In 2001, the two national governments agreed upon the railway train scheme during 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 July 8 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 finalize train schedules. In response to Indian security demands, a “box-fencing” system was to be erected on either side on the no-man’s land between the two countries. The inauguration of the train service was held on the occasion of the Bengali New Year (Bengali: পয়লা বৈশাখ) April 14, 2008.

The Maitree Express is the only train which runs between Kolkata and Dhaka. It runs six days a week from each side. The train travels around 375 kilometers to reach Dhaka from Kolkata. There are two stops for immigration checking; one is Gede (Indian side) and the other is Dorshona (Bangladesh side). It takes around 10–11 hours to cover the entire stretch. Since the Bangladesh side is non-electrified, the entire stretch is covered by broad-gauge diesel locomotives. There is a change of crew and locos at Dorshona in Bangladesh. There are two major river crossings–the Hardinge Bridge over the lower Ganges and the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge over the Jamuna River, both in Bangladesh.

Bandhan Express or Kolkata-Khulna Express (Bengali: বন্ধন এক্সপ্রেস বা কলকাতা-খুলনা এক্সপ্রেস) is an international standard passenger train in West Bengal, India travels from the capital of the state of Kolkata to Khulna, city of Bangladesh. This is the second Train which runs between these two countries. This is 52 years after beginning. The word binding means connection. This train service will be introduced on November 16, 2017 as a symbol of friendship between Bangladesh and India. As a result of the train carriage and engine, both the country’s compartments and engines will be used as a result The passengers do not have to change trains on the border. The train left from India Kolkata railway station, immigration is completed here, even though the visa is to be collected from the Indian Embassy beforehand. Appropriate and correct Khulna passengers will be able to collect the ticket in the counters at Khulna Station with the papers.
Naming:
After Kolkata-Dhaka, it was proposed to name India-Bangladesh Second Maitree Train on Calcutta-Khulna route as ‘Sonartari’. But the same name used in the railways of both countries is excluded. Then it was suggested that Sampritee and Bandhan were offered. The bonding name was then unanimously accepted.
Many after technical complications, the bond are finally going on.
Time Schedule:
(Information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Khulna – Kolkata, Bandhan Express (বন্ধন এক্সপ্রেস) (মেইল / এক্সপ্রেস ট্রেন) (Mail / Express Train) Schedule/ খুলনা কলকাতা ট্রেনের সময়সূচী:

Train Code: 13130
Name Of The Train: Bandhan Express (বন্ধন এক্সপ্রেস) of Eastern Railway (ইন্ডিয়ান রেলওয়ে)
Route: Khulna – Kolkata (খুলনা – কলকাতা)
Distance: 172km
Travel hour: 4h 50m
Avg Speed; 36km / hr
Maximum Speed: N/A
Halt Station: 2 (Benapole & petrapole)
Starting Station & Departure Time: Khulna (KLN) Railway Station/ খুলনা রেলওয়ে স্টেশন- At 01:20 pm (Indian Standard Time)
Khulna to Benapole – 90.4km (2hr 30min) Speed-36km / hr

Arrival Station & Arrival Time: Benapole Railway Station (বেনাপোল রেলওয়ে স্টেশন) at 03:50 pm
Departure Time: 03:55pm (Halt time 5min)
Benapole to Petra pole – 3.6km (15min) Speed- 14km / hr
Arrival Station & Arrival Time: Petra pole Railway Station (পেট্রাপোল রেলওয়ে স্টেশন) at 04:10pm
Departure Time: 04:20pm (Halt Time 10min)
Petrapole to Kolkata – 78.4km (1hr 50min) Speed – N/A
Arrival Station & Arrival Time: Kolkata Railway Station / Chitpur Terminal (কলকাতা রেলওয়ে স্টেশন) at 06:10pm

Type: Mail / Express Train (মেইল/এক্সপ্রেস ট্রেন) with LHB rake, Zone: ER / Eastern
Ticket Fare: A/C Chair-10 Dollar, A/C Cabin-15 Dollar.