AGARTALA, Oct 15 (TIWN): In another major historic moment for the landlocked Tripura, the much awaited state own Volvo bus service for Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka is all set to kick-off its journey in not less than next 24 hours on Friday.Transport Minister Manik Dey is scheduled to inaugurate the maiden journey of the state own volvo service from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka at 2 in the afternoon at TRTC Krishna nagar complex.It is to be mentioned here that permit from Bangladesh have reached and tickets are already available at the TRTC ticket counter in Krishanagar.However, on the same day more 20 buses will also start its service in five different routes of the state, besides one AC bus in Agartla – Guwahati route.

At present 70 JnNURM buses are giving service in various routes of Agartala. It is to be mentioned here that the Cost of one ticket will be Rs 1800 including Bangladesh travelling tax.However, the newly procured Volvo bus was scheduled to kick off its journey from Krishna Nagar TRTC bus stand on October 14. Even on Monday the bus had a trial run from Agartala to Udaipur.

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.Reportedly, 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. 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. 

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 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.

AMC Mayor Parafullajit Sinha, Chief Secretary Yashpal Singh, Transport Secretary Samarjit Bhowmik along with other dignitaries to remain present in the inaugural ceremony of the volvo bus service at TRTC.