Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina today jointly inaugurated the long-awaited direct train-service between Kolkata and Khulna through video-conferencing . <br/><br/><br/>The new train service, called Bandhan Express, is the second cross-border train between the two neighbouring countries. The Express will re-establish the rail link between southwestern region of Bangladesh and the heart of West Bengal which was snapped off in the 1950s.<br/> <br/>The two Prime Ministers also inaugurated simplified end to end immigration and custom clearance services of the Moitree Express which has been running between Dhaka and Kolkata since 2008. They will also launch two railway bridges, built with the Indian line of credit. <br/><br/><br/>The inauguration of the Kolkata-Khulna direct train service is yet another step the two friendly neighbours are taking to direct their bilateral relationship towards excellence. Restoration of the direct rail link between Kolkata and Khulna is expected to further boost trade and people to people contacts between India and Bangladesh. <br/><br/>Though it will be formally inaugurated today, the Bandhan Express will start ferrying passengers from November 16 onwards. The train will run in either direction twice a week and cover the 177 km distance between Kolkata and khulna within 4 1/2 hours.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi said both development and connectivity are connected together. Inaugurating the direct train-service Bandhan Express between Kolkata and Khulna through video-conferencing in New Delhi, Mr Modi said India have taken some more steps towards strengthening the relations between the two countries which are centuries old historical links, especially among the people of West Bengal and Bangladesh. <br/><br/>Mr Modi said this train will save three hours of railway passengers and it will also help them from custom and immigration checkings. <br/><br/> <br/>Mr Modi also inaugurated two railway bridges that were built at a cost of around 100 million dollar and said it will help strengthening Bangladesh's rail network. He said being a trusted partner in Bangladesh's development work is a matter of pride for India. <br/><br/>West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj were also present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina today jointly inaugurated the long-awaited direct train-service between Kolkata and Khulna through video-conferencing . <br/><br/><br/>The new train service, called Bandhan Express, is the second cross-border train between the two neighbouring countries. The Express will re-establish the rail link between southwestern region of Bangladesh and the heart of West Bengal which was snapped off in the 1950s.<br/> <br/>The two Prime Ministers also inaugurated simplified end to end immigration and custom clearance services of the Moitree Express which has been running between Dhaka and Kolkata since 2008. They will also launch two railway bridges, built with the Indian line of credit. <br/><br/><br/>The inauguration of the Kolkata-Khulna direct train service is yet another step the two friendly neighbours are taking to direct their bilateral relationship towards excellence. Restoration of the direct rail link between Kolkata and Khulna is expected to further boost trade and people to people contacts between India and Bangladesh. Though it will be formally inaugurated today, the Bandhan Express will start ferrying passengers from November 16 onwards. The train will run in either direction twice a week and cover the 177 km distance between Kolkata and khulna within 4 1/2 hours.