Shyamoli Paribahan to increase buses on Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata route

Bangladesh's Shyamoli Paribahan has agreed to increase frequency of daily passenger bus services between India's Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka, as road and rail links between north eastern Indian state of Tripura and the rest of the country remain snapped following massive landslides triggered by heavy rains.

At present, Shyamoli Paribahan operates on the Agratala-Kolkata via Dhaka route with only one bus each from the two ends, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The train service in Tripura has remained disrupted for the past one month due to heavy rains.

The national highway no. 6 connects Tripura through Karimganj-Sabroom national highway no. 8. But due to massive landslides at Lumshong in East Jaintia Hills, the road connectivity of Tripura with the rest of the country via rail and road continues to be cut off, Tripura's Principal Secretary L H Darlong said on Thursday.

Road and rail link restoration work at Lumshong has been stalled by incessant heavy rains and it is uncertain when vehicular movement on the highway will resume, he said.

Darlong said "we have already requested Shyamali Travel for at least two more buses from both ends (Kolkata and Agartala) daily since Dhaka has already approved the service."

Darlong said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has urged India's Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for additional flights to and from Tripura and the state government is considering to provide financial help to students and patients who require flight facility.

Secretary in the food and civil supplies department Saradhindu Chowdhury claimed that as of now there is no shortage of essential food items or fuel. But it would be a matter of concern if the national highway no. 6 is not cleared within the next few days.

Tripura has already requested Indian Oil Corporation and Food Corporation of India to bring fuel and essential items through Bangladesh in case of any emergency, he said.