THE FOREIGN RAIL AGREEMENT ( FRIENDSHIP EXPRESS )

The Indian Railways always efforts to promote the friendly relations among its neighboring countries and constantly tries to maintain its rail service for the peoples of outside the border. Hence the blog describes its two friend express which moves outside the border the connects the two country peoples named SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS and MAITREE EXPRESS. 

SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS

The SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS, also called as FRIEND EXPRESS is the current operational rail service between the two neighbouring countries; INDIA and PASKITAN. The word ‘SAMJHAUTA’ which means the ‘agreement’ or ‘compromise’ give the train its name as this train network had been started under the joint collaboration of INDIAN RAILWAYS and PAKISTAN RAILWAYS to promote the friendly relations among the countries. 

SAMJHAUTA RACKS

INTRDOUCTION

The SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS is the only passenger’s rail transportation service between the two countries, INDIA and PAKISTAN. The train is Bi-weekly operated on WEDNESDAY and SUNDAY that connects the DELHI and ATTARI in INDIA to LAHORE in PAKISTAN. The train was first operated on 22 JULY, 1976 after a SHIMLA agreement between two countries, making a run of 42 kilometres between AMRISTAR in INDIA to LAHORE in PAKISTAN. But after 1985, the train was rescheduled to run between ATTARI In INDIA to LAHORE in PAKISTAN after PUNJAB’S disagreement. The clearances and immigrations, which include all the passport checking and paperwork process, were then taking place at ATTARI station only.

The train usually runs daily which then made bi-weekly on 1994. The train generally runs with six to eight coaches having green paint with red strips manufactured by Pakistan. The rakes were returned to home country after each service after which is then placed at station yard only for overnights after 2000.

SERVICES

The SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS make its run in two parts. In the first part, the DELHI- ATTARI express first drops the passengers to ATTARI railway station where the whole immigration process takes place. Earlier, the process usually takes place at AMRITSAR JUNCTION which is changed after 1985. The train doesn’t make any stop till ATTARI STATION.  Next, they board the train named SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS which then travels to LAHORE from ATTARI covering 42km. The SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS usually hauled by Pakistan manufactured DL- 543 Diesel Alco locomotive.

SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS CROSSING BORDER

ROUTES

The train first starts from OLD DELHI RAILWAY STATION where it directly reaches to ATTARI RAILWAYS STATION without any stop. Next the SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS departs from ATTARI and crosses the border gate from where it reaches to WAGAH RAILWAY STATION. After total clearance, the train directly reaches to the LAHORE JUNCTION RAILWAY STATION. Earlier, the train usually starts from AMRITSAR JUNCTION but later on it was diverted to ATTARI station for the clearance process.

THE 2007 ACCIDENT

A major accident took place on 19 February, 2007 in which 67 peoples were killed inside the DELHI-ATTARI express when the train was moving from DELHI to ATTARI railway station. The accident sighted near PANIPAT, HARYANA. A great explosion took place by IED’s which causes the derailment of train. On JULY 2010, ATIF QUERESHI was caught as the person for the act after which on SEPTEMBER 2012, SWAMI ASSEEMED was declared as the mastermind of the whole plan.

SAFETY

The train is only allowed to cross the border during 10a.m. to 12a.m. in the morning and 8p.m. to 10p.m. in the night. The train is first inspected by B.S.F. commando with sniffer dogs along with the inspection of whole track before entering of train across the border. The commandos were then positioned side by side till the whole train passes the border.

MAITREE EXPRESS

The MAITREE EXPRESS is again a sign of friendship between the two close countries, INDIA and BANGLADESH. The word ‘MAITREE’ which means ‘friendship’ or ‘friends’ is a passenger’s rail international service connecting the two neighbourhood countries, INDIA and BANGLADESH.

MAITREE RACKS

INTRODUCTION

The MAITREE EXPRESS is a modern foreign train service which connects KOLKATA, the Indian state of WEST BENGAL in INDIA with DHAKA, the capital state of BANGLADESH. The MAITREE EXPRESS or the FREINDSHIP EXPRESS are the railway connections which promotes and strengthen the friendly relation between these two countries.

The train provide its service since the independence of India on the undivided land during British rule after which all the rail links were broken due to partition of the India. Before the partition, the train usually runs overnight covering the cities: KOLKATA, GOALANDA, DHAKA, NARAYANGANJ. After the partition the cities usually covered by three train service- East Bengal mail, East Bengal Express and Barisal express. But later on, all the rail connections were lost due to INDO- PAKISTANI conflict in 1965.

SERVICES

The train continues to provide its services before the independence till 1965 after which the rail services were stopped due to conflict at border. At the time of independence when Bengal was partitioned as Indian state of West Bengal and East Bengal which was renamed as East Pakistan. Now, during the conflict at 1965 and the Bangladesh war of independence on 1971, the East Pakistan was renamed as Bangladesh.

The rail service remains disbanded for 43 years. But on year 2007, the train got its first service signal when Foreign minister, Pranab Mukherjee makes it visit to Bangladesh and first trail run was accomplished. Next, on April 14, 2008, which celebrated as the day of Bengali New Year, the train got the green signal for first run from Kolkata to Dhaka which was flagged off by minister Pranab Mukherjee and at same time, same train runs from Dhaka to Kolkata. All the major journalist and politicians along with 65 passengers enjoy the journey. Since then, the train continued its services till today with full boost. With this success, later on 2017 the Railways started the BARISAL EXPRESS which travels from KOLKATA to Bangladeshi city, KHULNA. 

The train got several appreciations and various protests and bombing plot during its life but still it continues it journey with full enthusiasm and excitement.

NEW UPGRADED RAKES OF MAITREE

ROUTES

The train usually covers the 375 kilometres journey from KOLKATA to DHAKA CANTT in about to 10 to 11 hours. The train runs with 14 to 15 coaches having white paint again with red and blue strips with both, AC and NON-AC coaches. Due to lack of electrification at Bangladeshi routes, the train is hauled by broad gauge Diesel locomotives.

The train starts with KOLKATA railway station and moves till GEDE railway station where whole of immigrations and clearances takes place. Next, after the signal the train the train crosses the India- Bangladesh border and stops at DARSHANA railway station where the final immigrations take place. Finally, the train finally reaches its destination DHAKA railway station in 374 kilometres.

SAFETY

With high bonding relations of India and Bangladesh, the train was less prone to terrorist attacks but for conformational safety the train was checked by the B.S.F. commandos at each end with whole inspection of tracks and militant position.


REFERENCES:
CONTENT: WIKIPEDIA, RAILOPEDIA
IMAGES: GOOGLE IMAGES