Make this your homepage
Tripura News
Home > Tripura News
Tripura to get Agartala-Kolkata bus service before Durga Puja, drivers sent for training
TIWN
Tripura to get Agartala-Kolkata bus service before Durga Puja, drivers sent for training
PHOTO : Trial run of Agartala-Kolkata bus service via Dhaka at TRTC complex. TIWN File Photo

AGARTALA, August 31 (TIWN): Finally the northeastern states of Tripura popularly known as a land-locked state takes up a plan to get much awaiting direct bus service between Agartala and Kolkata via neighbouring Bangladesh. Talking to TIWN on Sunday a high official of state transport department informed that as earlier proposed for one Volvo air-conditioned bus would arrive here in Tripura to start the service before Durga Puja drawing near.

He said, “We are expecting that if everything falls in the right track than we would be able to start the service before puja in view of getting much awaited passengers fly to Kolkata by the bus.”

He also said that recently drivers along with other staffs from the state was send abroad to get training prior to drive or handle the Volvo bus as it is much sophisticated vehicle and well designed.

The Volvo company had recently send the sample buses for the government’s consent following which the state transport department has taken all necessary steps towards getting at least one bus before puja, he said.

Asked about the passenger fare the official said, “Government would stick to its demand to rest the fare at Rs. 1500 for an individual.” The West Bengal government had already started the direct bus service and fixed the passengers fare at Rs. 2000 from their part. The official said that very less passengers travelling to Kolkata have been recorded so far.

Even after Independence, residents of Tripura had been in touch with the people on other side of the border as their relatives reside in Comilla, Dhaka, Chittagong and Noakhali districts of Bangladesh.

The existing route between Kolkata and Agartala by road has been a complex one with an estimated distance of 1,650 kilometres. The journey through the narrow 'chicken neck' territory via Guwahati and Shillong takes around two days.

But the new route via Dhaka, Rupganj, Narsingdi, Brahmanberia and Akhaura would bring down the distance to 470 kilometres.

The Kolkata-Dhaka bus service was introduced in 1999. Since then, there has been a demand for connectivity with Tripura. The successful run of Kolkata-Dhaka service brightened the scope for another service in the northeastern sector. While Agartala-Dhaka service was introduced in 2003, requests started pouring in for a direct link.   

Add your Comment
Comments (0)

Special Articles

Sanjay Majumder Sanjay Majumder
Anirban Mitra Anirban Mitra