Dhaka: Bangladesh and India are set to sign a supplementary deal on the commissioning of the trans-national passenger train service between the two countries on April 14 as the Cabinet approved the final draft on the deal, officials and reports said today.

Officials said the Cabinet of the interim government in emergency-ruled Bangladesh approved the final draft of the deal in a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed.

"As the deal has been put into the final form by the council of advisers, the cross-border train will now start plying between the Cantonment station in Dhaka and Chitpur in Kolkata through the Darshana border on (Bengali New Year) Pahela Baishakh on April 14," the New Age quoted Communication Ministry's Additional Secretary ATKM Ismail as saying.

Earlier on February 24, the Cabinet approved the Indian proposal for the construction of a box-type temporary fence on no man's land between the two countries, clearing the way for the commissioning of passenger train service.

Railway officials of the two countries finalised the details of the service at a two-day bilateral meet last week for the launching of the service.

The Moitree (friendship) Express, having a seat capacity for 418 passengers, will operate weekly.

The fare has been fixed at $8 per person for economy class and $12 per person for a seat in the air-conditioned compartment.

A sleeping berth will cost $20. Passengers will be allowed to carry luggage up to 35 kilograms while a child below 5 years of age can carry 20 kg without any charge.

Source : PTI