Another bus service with India mulled
Bangladesh and India are keen to introduce another cross-border bus service, on the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala route, for improving road communications between the two neighbours, officials said yesterday, hoping that a decision would be reached in this regard during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh early next month.
"Governments of both countries are seeing the issue of introducing a bus service on the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala route positively," Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told reporters after inaugurating the trial operation of the Dhaka-Sylhet-Tamabil-Dauki-Shillong-Guwahati bus service at Kamalapur bus depot of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).
Stressing the need for sub-regional cooperation for economic growth, human resources development, creation of jobs, and elimination of poverty, he said an improved road network and transport system was the key to accelerate progress.
Talking to The Daily Star, BRTC Chairman Mizanur Rahman said, "If introduced, the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus service will promote trade and business.
Besides, public mobility across this region will soar."
Currently, two separate bus services are in operation on Dhaka-Kolkata and Dhaka-Agartala routes. Hence a traveller from Kolkata to Agartala needs to spend one night in Dhaka, and this is one of the reasons the Dhaka-Agartala service is failing to become popular.
"If a direct service is introduced, it will be easier for the people to travel from Kolkata to Agartala," the BRTC chief said.
A bus with government 22 officials led by Azharul Islam Khan, joint secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division, left the Kamalapur bus depot for Guwahati in Assam at 3:00pm yesterday.
The team stayed at Sylhet circuit house last night and is set to cross the boarder this morning. A state minister is supposed to receive the bus in India, said the BRTC official.
"The delegation will check feasibility of the route and overall condition of the infrastructure. The bus will return on Monday or Tuesday," he added.
Addressing reporters yesterday, Quader said an agreement or a protocol on the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati bus service was likely to be signed during Modi's visit.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran, who was present at the ceremony, said, "Today is an important day for both countries because it comes after a lot of effort and hard work…. This will contribute to more exchanges of people and tourists of the two countries."
About Modi's visit, Pankaj said, "I am sure that we will be able to achieve other milestones in our relationship. We are expecting a high-level dialogue between the two leaders."
Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary MAN Siddique, among other senior officials, attended the ceremony.
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