Haldibari-Chilahati Rail Link

IN NEWS

On 17th December 2020, honourable Prime Minister of India and Bangladesh has inaugurated a new rail link between both the countries that is Haldibari- Chilahati rail link through a video conferencing.

ABOUT

• To create the connectivity to North- Eastern landlocked states of India, Himalayan countries like Nepal and Bhutan with ease.
• This will offer direct connectivity to Mongal Port; which is the second largest port in Bangladesh.
• This will connect main ports, dry ports, and land borders to support the growth in regional trade and to encourage economic and social development of the region.
• This will nuture social, cultural and trade bonds between people and nations.
• This will help in the growth, connectivity and trade between South Asian countries.
• Construction of broad gauge in Haldibari in India to Chilahati in Bangladesh
• It is a 5th rail link between India and Bangladesh
• The other four are:-

1. Petrapole (India)- Benapole (Bangladesh)
2. Gede (India)- Darshana (Bangladesh)
3. Singhabad (India)- Rohanpur (Bangladesh)
4. Radhikapur (India)- Birol (Bangladesh)

• This railway line has been reopened after 55 years ,as it was closed after the war of 1965.
• This is not only restoration of an old rail link but life- line between India and Bangladesh under the able a leadership of Prime Ministers of both the countries.