Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata bus service resumes after 18-month hiatus

The bus service between Kolkata and Agartala via Dhaka resumed after a hiatus of 18 months. The first such vehicle reached Agartala with 20 passengers on board on Tuesday.

Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury welcomed the passengers at Akhaura Integrated Checkpost .

The Royal-Maitri international bus service has been suspended for the past year, resulting in visa issues and a sharp decline in the number of passengers. With the situation improving, the operator sought to recommence the service, according to an official.

On the foundation of friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding, the relationship between the two countries grows deeper and stronger, Chowdhury said, adding that it is the reality and an undeniable truth.

The fare for the roughly 500km journey from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka is Rs2,800. A train from Agartala needs to travel 1,567km to reach Kolkata via Guwahati.

An Indian official said that tourist visa services from Bangladesh to Agartala will also be initiated soon.