Dhaka: The end-to-end Immigration and Customs services of Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express train was launched on Friday, aiming to provide more comfort to the passengers of the train by reducing the travel time.

Railways Minister M Mazibul Hoque visited Dhaka Cantonment Railway Station in the morning to see the new services.

Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benerjee on Thursday jointly inaugurated the service through video conferencing.

The newly introduced services will reduce two hours travel time between Kolkata and Dhaka, the Railways Minister said.

Later, he talked to the passengers of Maitree Express train and greeted them with flower sticks, said an official release.

The Maitre Express train runs on Dhaka-Kolkata route six days a week. On first day of introducing the new services, tickets of all 456 seats have been sold out, said railway authorities.

Director General of Bangladesh Railway Amjad Hossain, officials concerned of the Railways Ministry, Bangladesh Railway and Customs were present.