Dhaka - The cities of Dhaka and Kolkata reopened Monday a train link from the World War II era after a 40-year hiatus in a bid to improve bilateral relations, officials said. The "friendship train" chugged out of Dhaka Cantonment Station destined for Kolkata's Sealdah Railway Station while another train departed in the opposite direction.
Officials in both state-controlled railways said the services would operate initially at the weekend, but said the popularity of the service would determine its frequency.
"All tickets for the inaugural journey were sold out as soon as the special counters were opened," said Dhaka station manager Abu Sayeed Ahmad.
The direct train link was severed in 1965 when Pakistan and India fought a bitter border war.
The issue was revived after the emergence of independent Bangladesh carved out of former East Pakistan in 1971.
The "friendship train" service became a reality after the signing of a bilateral agreement in Dhaka on April 10.
The distance covers 540 kilometres - 420 kilometres of which is in Bangladesh.
Sources said the journey would take about 12 hours initially.
