Bandhan Express
The Bandhan Express train 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. Since 19 July 2024, the service was suspended indefinitely due to political unrest in Bangladesh.
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 on 9 November 2017.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'. 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.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. 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.
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.| Station | Arrival | Departure | Zone |
| – | 07:10 IST | ER | |
| 08:55 IST | 09:05 IST | ER | |
| 09:35 BST | 10:15 BST | BR | |
| 11:30 BST | 11:33 BST | BR | |
| 12:30 BST | – | BR |
| Station | Arrival | Departure | Zone |
| – | 13:30 BST | BR | |
| 14:27 BST | 14:30 BST | BR | |
| 14:45 BST | 16:00 BST | BR | |
| 16:10 IST | 16:20 IST | ER | |
| 18:10 IST | – | ER |
Coach composition
Pure LHB coach in red-grey and sky blue-grey manufactured in India, are used for this train.- It comprises 4 AC First Class, 4 AC Chair car, and 2 Generator cum luggage cum guard van, hence, a total of 10 coaches.
| LRM/GD/EOG/SLR | H- | C- |
| Generator cum luggage van | AC First Class | AC Chair Car |
; Rake composition of 13129 down Kolkata to Khulna
| Loco | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| EOG | H1 | H2 | H3 | H4 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | EOG |
- While 13130 up Khulna to Kolkata has reverse rake composition of 13129.