{{Short description|Train service connecting Bangladesh and West Bengal}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox rail service | name = Bandhan Express | image = Bandhan express.png | image_width = | caption = | type = AC Express | status = | locale = | first = {{start date and age|df=yes|2017|11|09}} | last = {{start date and age|df=yes|2024|07|18}} | operator = West Zone of Bangladesh Railway & Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railway | ridership = | start = {{stnlnk|Kolkata}} (KOAA) | stops = 3 | end = {{stnlnk|Khulna}} (KLNB) | distance = {{convert|172|km|abbr=on}} | journeytime = 5 hours 20 mins | frequency = Bi-weekly | class = AC First Class (1A) <br> AC Chair Car (CC) | seating = Yes | sleeping = Yes | autorack = | catering = No | observation = | entertainment = No | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = LHB coach | gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}} | el = | trainnumber = 13129/13130 | speed = | map = {{routemap|inline=1|map= ~~km~~ \KBHFa~~0{{0|.0}}~~{{stnlnk|Kolkata}} \BHF~~{{stnlnk|Dum Dum Junction}} \BHF~~{{stnlnk|Barasat Junction}} \BHF~~{{stnlnk|Bangaon Junction}} \BHF~~78~~Petrapole \STR+GRZq~~ ~~ ~~India–Bangladesh border \BHF~~82{{0|.0}}~~{{stnlnk|Benapole}} \BHF~~117{{0|.0}}~~{{stnlnk|Jessore Junction}} \KBHFe~~172{{0|.0}}~~{{stnlnk|Khulna}} }} | map_state = }} {{Contains special characters|Bengali}} The '''Bandhan Express''' train ({{langx|bn|বন্ধন এক্সপ্রেস}}) is an international express rail service which runs between the Indian city Kolkata and the Bangladeshi city Khulna every week. It is the second modern day, fully air conditioned passenger train link between the Indian state West Bengal and Bangladesh. The Bengali word ''Bandhan'' means ''bonding'' when translated to English. It was initially referred to as the Maitree Express II. A valid visa and passport is required before purchasing a ticket for the Bandhan Express train. Tickets are available at Khulna railway station in Bangladesh and at Chitpur Station in Kolkata, India. Together with the Maitree Express train and the Mitali Express train, the Bandhan Express train is one of three modern day fully air conditioned passenger train links between India and Bangladesh.
The commercial run of this train was suspended in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020. However, the train resumed its normal operations from 29 May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh bound Maitree, Bandhan Express to resume soon: Check details |url=https://www.news9live.com/utility/bangladesh-bound-maitree-bandhan-express-to-resume-soon-check-details-171584 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=NEWS9LIVE |date=21 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Passenger Train Services Between India and Bangladesh to Resume from May 29; Check Details |url=https://www.news18.com/news/auto/passenger-train-services-between-india-and-bangladesh-to-resume-from-may-29-check-details-5204455.html |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=News18 |date=19 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Since 19 July 2024, the service was suspended indefinitely due to political unrest in Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2024 |title=India suspends train services to Bangladesh indefinitely |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-suspends-train-services-to-bangladesh-indefinitely-9496857/ |access-date=1 July 2025 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
==History== Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; and Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, flagged off the Kolkata–Khulna Bandhan Express train service via video conference from {{stnlnk|Kolkata}} on 9 November 2017.<ref name=flag>{{cite press release| title=Prime Minister of India & Prime Minister of Bangladesh Jointly along with Chief Minister, West Bengal Flag off New Cross-Border Train between India & Bangladesh, "Kolkata–Khulna Bandhan Express"... | publisher= Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Railways | date = 9 November 2017| access-date = 10 November 2017 |url= http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=173351}}</ref>
=== Naming === After the Kolkata–Dhaka Maitree Express train was operational, it was proposed to name this second India–Bangladesh train on the Kolkata–Khulna route as 'Sonartari'.<ref name=flag /> But the same name is used in the railways and trains of both countries and hence it was omitted. Then the names ''Sampritee'' and ''Bandhan'' were offered. Finally the name ''Bandhan'' meaning ''Bonding'' was unanimously accepted.<ref name=flag />
==Route== The route recreates the previous Barisal Express route. The train starts at Kolkata railway station on the Indian side, stopping at Dum Dum and Bangaon before reaching the Indian border at Petrapole. The train then crosses to Benapole on the Bangladeshi side, going through Jhikargachha & Jessore, before reaching Khulna railway station.<ref name="fp-2017-me2">{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/maitree-express-ii-chugged-across-india-bangladesh-border-amid-cheers-applause-3374846.html|title=Maitree Express-II chugged across India, Bangladesh border amid cheers, applause|work=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=Firstpost|date=8 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="ie-2017-me2">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sheikh-hasina-visits-india-narendra-modi-new-rail-passenger-service-to-be-announced-4603357/|title=Sheikh Hasina visit: Maitree Express to be made fully AC, new passenger service to be announced|agency=Press Trust of India|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=7 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref> There are no immigration or customs checks at the international border between India and Bangladesh for this train. The immigration process is done in Kolkata and Khulna. A valid visa and passport is required before purchasing a ticket for the Bandhan Express train. Tickets are available at Khulna Railway Station in Bangladesh and at Chitpur Station in Kolkata, India.
On 8 March 2019 both Government agreed to make a 3-minute halt at Jessore in order to attract more passengers and 200 tickets are reserved for the passengers from Jessore station.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kolkata–Khulna train: After 52 years you can now buy ticket to Bangladesh; all you need to know|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-khulna-train-kolkata-khulna-dhaka-bus-970373-2017-04-09 |work=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|script-title=bn:৫৪ বছর পরে যশোর থেকে কলকাতার ট্রেন |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/bangladesh-news/train-service-from-jessore-to-kolkata-started-after-54-years-1.963238 |work=Anandabazar Patrika|language=bn|access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref>
==Timings and frequency== Since its inauguration, the train only ran on Thursdays but from February 2020, the frequency was increased and now it runs twice a week, Sunday and Thursday.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:মৈত্রী ও বন্ধন ট্রেনের যাত্রার সংখ্যা এক দিন বাড়ল |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/international/article/1638153/ |access-date=20 February 2020 |work=Prothom Alo |date=5 February 2020 |language=bn}}</ref>
{{col-begin|width=auto}} {{col-break}} {|class="wikitable" |+Kolkata to Khulna (13129)<ref name="Time">{{cite web |title=Bandhan Express/13129 Time Table/Schedule: Kolkata to Khulna ER/Eastern Zone – Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/bandhan-express-13129/66521/7037/12313#st |website=India Rail Info |access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> ! Station !! Arrival !! Departure !! Zone |- | {{rws|Kolkata}} || – || 07:10 IST || rowspan=2| ER |- | {{rws|Petrapole}} || 08:55 IST || 09:05 IST |- | {{rws|Benapole}} || 09:35 BST || 10:15 BST || rowspan=3| BR |- | {{rws|Jessore}} || 11:30 BST || 11:33 BST |- | {{rws|Khulna}} || 12:30 BST || – |}
{|class="wikitable" |+Khulna to Kolkata (13130)<ref name="Time"/> ! Station !! Arrival !! Departure !! Zone |- | {{rws|Khulna}} || – || 13:30 BST || rowspan=3| BR |- | {{rws|Jessore}} || 14:27 BST || 14:30 BST |- | {{rws|Benapole}} || 14:45 BST || 16:00 BST |- | {{rws|Petrapole}} || 16:10 IST || 16:20 IST || rowspan=2| ER |- | {{rws|Kolkata}} || 18:10 IST || – |} {{col-end}}
==Coach composition== Pure LHB coach in red-grey (used by Rajdhani Expresses) and sky blue-grey (used by Shatabdi Expresses) manufactured in India, are used for this train. * It comprises 4 AC First Class (1A), 4 AC Chair car (CC), and 2 Generator cum luggage cum guard van, hence, a total of 10 coaches. And hauled by Bardhaman-based WDM-3D or WDM-3A
;Legends {|class="wikitable" |- ! LRM/GD/EOG/SLR !! H- !! C- |- | Generator cum luggage van || AC First Class (1A) || AC Chair Car (CC) |} ; Rake composition of 13129 down Kolkata to Khulna
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center:" |- ! Loco ! style="background:grey;"| 1 ! style="background:red;"| 2 ! style="background:red;"| 3 ! style="background:red;"| 4 ! style="background:red;"| 5 ! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 6 ! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 7 ! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 8 ! style="background:#87ceeb;"| 9 ! style="background:grey;"| 10 |- |25px ||EOG||H1||H2||H3||H4||C1||C2||C3||C4||EOG |} * While 13130 up Khulna to Kolkata has reverse rake composition of 13129.
== Gallery == <gallery widths=180>
</gallery>
==See also== * Maitree Express * Mitali Express * Samjhauta Express * Transport between India and Bangladesh#Rail links
==References== {{reflist|35em}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://railway.gov.bd/ Bangladesh Railway]
{{Railways in Eastern India}} {{Railways in Bangladesh}} {{Eurasian Land Bridge}} {{International trains from India}} Category:Benapole Category:Petrapole Category:Named passenger trains of India Category:Named passenger trains of Bangladesh Category:International named passenger trains Category:Transport in Kolkata Category:Bangladesh–India relations Category:Rail transport in West Bengal Category:Rail transport in Khulna Category:Railway services introduced in 2017