No date for train services between India-B'desh

Dhaka, Mar 18: Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor today said the date for commencing Joydevpur-Sealdah passenger train service between India and Bangladesh is yet to be finalised, though both the countries have agreed to it in principle.

Responding to a question by mediapersons if the train service would commence from April 14 as reported by the Indian media, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said, ''We have taken the decision in principle, but the date has not been fixed.'' He said the train service agreement between India and Bangladesh prior to the commencement of the service needed to be reviewed.

The train service agreement signed in 2001 between the two countries was scheduled to be renewed after every three years. But it was not done in 2004.

Officials at the Communication Ministry here said the two countries need to renew the agreement before the operation of the Joydevpur-Sealdah train service.

UNI