# Bandhan Express
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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandhan_Express
> Source revision: 1354122687
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{{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](/source/AC_Express_(Indian_Railways))
| 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](/source/West_Zone_(Bangladesh_Railway)) of [Bangladesh Railway](/source/Bangladesh_Railway) & [Eastern Railway zone](/source/Eastern_Railway_zone) of [Indian Railway](/source/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](/source/Indian_Railways_coaching_stock) (1A)
AC Chair Car (CC)
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = No
| observation =
| entertainment = No
| baggage =
| otherfacilities =
| stock = [LHB coach](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Kolkata) and the [Bangladesh](/source/Bangladesh)i city [Khulna](/source/Khulna) every week. It is the second modern day, fully air conditioned passenger [train link](/source/Transport_between_India_and_Bangladesh) between the Indian state [West Bengal](/source/West_Bengal) and Bangladesh. The Bengali word ''Bandhan'' means ''bonding'' when translated to English. It was initially referred to as the [Maitree Express](/source/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](/source/Khulna_railway_station) in Bangladesh and at [Chitpur Station](/source/Kolkata_railway_station) in Kolkata, India. Together with the [Maitree Express](/source/Maitree_Express) train and the [Mitali Express](/source/Mitali_Express) train, the Bandhan Express train is one of three modern day fully air conditioned passenger [train links](/source/Transport_between_India_and_Bangladesh) between India and Bangladesh.
The commercial run of this train was suspended in the wake of the global [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) since March 2020. However, the train resumed its normal operations from 29 May 2022.[{{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}}][{{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}}] Since 19 July 2024, the service was suspended indefinitely due to political unrest in Bangladesh.[{{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}}]
==History==
Prime Minister of India, [Narendra Modi](/source/Narendra_Modi); Prime Minister of Bangladesh, [Sheikh Hasina](/source/Sheikh_Hasina); and [Chief Minister of West Bengal](/source/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.[{{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}}]
=== Naming ===
After the Kolkata–Dhaka [Maitree Express](/source/Maitree_Express) train was operational, it was proposed to name this second India–Bangladesh train on the Kolkata–Khulna route as 'Sonartari'.[{{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](/source/Indo-Asian_News_Service)|publisher=[Firstpost](/source/Firstpost)|date=8 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}][{{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](/source/Press_Trust_of_India)|newspaper=[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)|date=7 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}] 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.[{{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}}][{{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}}]
==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.[{{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}}]
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{|class="wikitable"
|+Kolkata to Khulna (13129)[{{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}}]
! Station !! Arrival !! Departure !! Zone
|-
| {{rws|Kolkata}} || – || 07:10 [IST](/source/Indian_Standard_Time) || rowspan=2| [ER](/source/Eastern_Railway_zone)
|-
| {{rws|Petrapole}} || 08:55 IST || 09:05 IST
|-
| {{rws|Benapole}} || 09:35 [BST](/source/Bangladesh_Standard_Time) || 10:15 BST || rowspan=3| [BR](/source/Bangladesh_Railway)
|-
| {{rws|Jessore}} || 11:30 BST || 11:33 BST
|-
| {{rws|Khulna}} || 12:30 BST || –
|}
{|class="wikitable"
|+Khulna to Kolkata (13130)