AGARTALA, Oct 13 (TIWN): The much hiked state own first TRTC Volvo bus service for the Agartala–Kolkata route via Dhaka received major setback with the cancellation of the permit by Shyamali, a private transport company of Bangladesh.

It is to be mentioned here that On Monday, staffs of Shyamoli snatched BRTC (Bangladesh Road Transport Company) permit from L J Rokhum liaison officer of TRTC. The staffs fear that if TRTC starts bus service than their business will be hampered.

But Rokhum managed to arrange another permit to reach to Agartala.

However, with the cancellation of the inaugural journey of the Volvo bus, uncertainty still looms large over the beginning of the journey of the Volvo bus service form the state.

Although the state government is hopeful to kick off the bus service by October 16. 

It is to be mentioned here that the newly procured Volvo bus was scheduled to kick off its journey from Krishna Nagar TRTC bus stand onOctober 14. Even on Monday the bus had a trial run from Agartala to Udaipur. 

Reportedly, Rokhum was schedule to bring required documents from BRTC, as per treaty BRTC have prepared all kind of documents and permit. The state official reported to BRTC office for collecting the permit while coming out the permit was snatched away. 

Immediately, he brought to the notice of Transport Minister Manik Dey and Transport Secretary Samarjit Bhowmik. The matter was brought to the notice of Indian High Commission Office in Dhaka. 

It is to be mentioned here that after waiting for several months, the state government has finally catered its own Volvo bus to the land locked Tripura to provide its own volvo bus service from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka.

Despite all odds and with an aim to meet the demand of the land-locked Tripura and to contain the rise in airfares the Tripura Left front government bought luxury bus for the Agartala-Kolkata route via Bangladesh capital Dhaka. The bus fare has been fixed at Rs. 2000 for Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala route and for Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata it is fixed at Rs 1500.

The sources also said that the Bus itself cost Rs 88 lakh 23 thousand and after all other chargers including insurance and other things the range stands at Rs91, 21,221.

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.

However, only time can say when will the journey of the state own Volvo bus service will begin in the state.