Bandhan Express (3129)

About Bandhan Express (3129)

Bandhan Express (Train No. 3129) is an international cross-border train connecting Kolkata (India) with Khulna (Bangladesh), running through the Petrapole–Benapole border crossing — the busiest land border point between the two countries. "Bandhan" means "bond" or "tie" in Bengali, symbolising the historical and cultural connections between southwestern Bangladesh and West Bengal. Launched in 2017, Bandhan Express was the second international train service between Bangladesh and India (after the Moitree Express) and the first to connect Khulna division with India directly. The train serves AC Chair class and covers approximately 170 kilometres in about 4–5 hours including border formalities. Khulna's proximity to the Sundarbans means the service also attracts Indian tourists seeking to visit the Bangladeshi side of the world's largest mangrove forest. The Benapole–Petrapole border crossing, through which the train passes, handles the majority of bilateral trade between the two countries.

বন্ধন এক্সপ্রেস (ট্রেন নং ৩১২৯) কলকাতা–খুলনা আন্তর্জাতিক ট্রেন। "বন্ধন" মানে বন্ধন — দুই দেশের সংযোগের প্রতীক।

Route Highlights (রুট হাইলাইট)

• International cross-border service — Kolkata to Khulna via Benapole–Petrapole.
• "Bandhan" (Bond) symbolises the cultural ties between Bengal on both sides.
• South Asia's busiest land border crossing — Benapole–Petrapole.
• Gateway to the Sundarbans from India via Khulna.
• AC Chair class for comfortable international-standard travel.

Train History (ইতিহাস)

Bandhan Express was inaugurated in 2017 by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India, marking a significant expansion of bilateral rail connectivity. Unlike the Moitree Express (which connects the two capitals of Dhaka and Kolkata), Bandhan connects a regional city (Khulna) directly with Kolkata, acknowledging the deep historical ties between southwestern Bangladesh and West Bengal. The Jessore–Benapole corridor through which the train runs has been a major trade and migration route for centuries, predating modern borders.

How to Book Bandhan Express Tickets (কিভাবে টিকেট কিনবেন)

You can book Bandhan Express tickets online through the official Bangladesh Railway e-ticket portal at eticket.railway.gov.bd. Select Kolkata as departure and Khulna as destination, choose your preferred seat class (AC Berth, Snigdha, Shovan Chair, etc.), and pay via bKash, Nagad, Rocket or bank card.

Bandhan Express এর টিকেট eticket.railway.gov.bd থেকে অনলাইনে কিনতে পারবেন।