Dhaka-Kolkata direct passenger train service is likely to begin in the third week of next month with preparations completed by the second week.

The non-stop train service would connect Dhaka Cantonment station and Sialdah station in Kolkata.

Fare for the 11-hour one-way journey would be $8 for general class, $12 for sleeping berth and $20 for air-conditioned first class per person.

Exact date of formal commissioning of the service would be fixed after negotiations with the Indian government, a high official of the communications ministry said yesterday.

A delegation from India would visit Bangladesh in the first week of next month followed by a Bangladesh delegation's visit to that country. The date of inaugurating the service would be fixed during the visits at the convenience of both the governments, the sources mentioned.

An inter-ministerial meeting at the communications ministry yesterday decided to complete preparations for the service by the second week of July.

Later, communications secretary Dr Mahbubur Rahman told journalists that Dhaka would prepare for introducing the service in the third week of July.

The meeting decided that customs and immigration services for the train journey would be provided at cantonment station and existing train lines would be upgraded to dual gauge from metre gauge. The service would start from Kamlapur station in December this year.

According to sources, the law ministry has okayed the draft agreement on train service to be signed by the two countries.

The draft prepared in the light of a previous agreement signed in 2001 would be sent to New Delhi soon.

Earlier, passenger train service between the two cities was introduced towards the end of the Awami League government's tenurein July 2001. One passenger train had run on trial basis. But the service was cancelled after the BNP-led coalition came to power.

Communications ministry sources said Dhaka wants to run the service every alternate day but New Delhi thinks it might not be viable. It proposed a once-a- week service.

Meanwhile, the Indian authorities have decided to provide customs and immigration services at Gede where the train service would enter their territory, and not at Sialdah.

They have also disagreed on Dhaka's proposal for a separate food coach in the pasesenger train.

Dhaka had also proposed a 700-seat train for the service but Delhi wants a 300-seat one..

A PTI report from Kolkata says the June16 deadline for introducing Kolkata-Dhaka rail link may not be achieved because arrangements for running the service are not complete.

Train service between the two cities will start but it requires some more time, West Bengal home secretary PR Roy was quoted as saying.