Editorial
Maitree service across the border
Better late than never
That which people on both sides of the border between Bangladesh and India waited with bated breath and animated suspense to see happen, has actually turned into a reality. The simultaneous running of friendship trains between Dhaka and Kolkata on Bangla new year's day marks a both historic and festive occasion.
Historic, because the train service has been resumed after four decades and that too in a happily changed context. That was East Pakistan then, it is sovereign, independent Bangladesh now. Well-connected by air and road, the opening of the railways between the two countries, a mass transportation mode, flings open the door for greater interaction of the people not only by virtue of tourism but also of trade, commerce and cultural exchanges.
Multi-modal transport linkages between Saarc countries which the regional body's charter advocates will provide a powerful impetus to people-to-people contact and understanding in the South Asia region. To facilitate greater connectivity with India and rest of the region, refurbishment of infrastructures should move hand in hand with simplification of procedures for quick delivery of visas and easing of traveling restrictions.
Railway is a cheaper mode of transportation and highly popular for the space and comfort it provides to commuters. But we hear that immigration and custom formalities took five hours of the entire duration of the journey which was 13 hours. Such long and tedious waiting for immigration and customs clearances is likely to diminish the charm of traveling. In the modern computer age, this is not acceptable. Smoothening the formalities will popularise the trip and make it commercially viable. Another point to note is the need for unfailing maintenance of the comfort standards on board with which the services have been launched.
A word about the festive air and fanfare accompanying the launch of the Moitree service. What highlighted the importance attached to the event was the presence of dignitaries of both countries at railway platforms. Moreover, people cheered on both sides of the railway tracks as the trains passed indicating the spontaneous appreciation of the august occasion. Such a gusto of greetings notwithstanding, the news of some crude bombs having been planted near the rail lines on the Indian side of the border and later defused only goes to underscore the security alert that is needed.
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