Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated a railway link between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh during the PM level virtual bilateral summit. A goods train was flagged off by Railway Minister of Bangladesh Nurul Islam Sujan from Chilahati station which entered India passing through the international border. Presently, there are four operational rail links between India and Bangladesh. The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link being made functional is the fifth rail link between India and Bangladesh. The Indian Railways has restored the tracks up to international border from Haldibari station at a cost of Rs 82.72 crore.
Haldibari-Chilahati route will be beneficial for transit into Bangladesh from Assam and West Bengal. This newly-opened rail link will enhance rail network accessibility to the main ports, dry ports and land borders to support the growth in regional trade and encourage economic and social development of the region.