India sends 10 diesel locomotives to Bangladesh

New Delhi, July 27: Providing the neighboring country mobility solutions for both intra-country and inter-country movement, the Indian government handed over 10 diesel locomotives to Bangladesh Railways. It was flagged off through video conference on Monday to bolster economic ties and connectivity within the region.

 

 

 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, and MoS for Railways Suresh Angadi were presented during the handover ceremony.

 

 

The physical location of the handover was the Gede station of the Eastern Railways in West Bengal's Nadia district and the receiving station was Darshana in Bangladesh. After flagging off the locomotives virtually from Delhi, Piyush Goyal said, "These locomotives will be useful in handling the on-going freight train operations between India and Bangladesh." 

 

The 10 locomotives, set to be handed over to Bangladesh, have a residual life of at least 28 years and are designed for speed of 120 kmph. These locomotives are suitable for hauling freight as well as passenger trains and the ergonomic layout of the driver’s cab provides stress-free driving and improved visibility for safer running. The 3300 HP WDM3D locos being given to Bangladesh have a residual life of 28 years or more and are designed for a speed of 120 kmph. They are suitable for hauling freight as well as passenger trains and have a microprocessor-based control system.

 

During the ceremony Jaishankar said the pace of overall cooperation has not slowed down even in the Covid-19 epidemic and India is looking forward to crossing more milestones.

 

Bangladesh had sent a proposal to India in April last year for the procurement of these locos, with 72 percent of its present ones already crossing their economic life. India has promised 17 railway projects to Bangladesh. Out of 17 projects, 9 have been completed. The completed projects include the supply of signal equipment, locomotives, wagons, railway bridges besides others.

These locomotives would provide improved train operations within the BR and also for interchange with the Indian Railways, and strengthen the partnership between both the transporters.