Volvo service between Kolkata, Agartala via Dhaka begins

Four months after India and Bangladesh launched a bus service linking Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka, bus operators here on Friday launched a Volvo bus service between the two cities.

The Bangladesh Government has also made special security arrangements for the vehicle by providing on-board police and escort for safe travel in their country.

Expressing their happiness on being a part of the first Volvo service from the state, passengers said that it was like a dream coming true.

"I came to Agartala with my wife four days back, but wanted to return in Volvo service, thus I got our visas made on Friday. We will be going back by the bus. We are thrilled," said Hara Prashad Ray, one of the passengers.

Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey flagged off the bus service on Friday at the Tripura Road Transport Corp (TRTC) international bus terminus depot amid much fanfare.

Abdul Salam, a Canadian citizen, who originally hails from Bangladesh, said, "I feel proud to know that the bus service will improve friendship between India and Bangladesh. It will also improve business and other social activities."

Tripura Transport Secretary Samarjit Bhaumik said the security arrangements for the bus have been made in view of recent incidents in Dhaka.

"Adequate security arrangements have been made as per the protocol signed between India and Bangladesh. There will be two Bangladesh security personnel on board in the vehicle when it plies across Bangladesh. Besides, a special arrangement has been made in view of some recent violence incident in Dhaka. Now, a security vehicle will be escorting the bus right from Akhaura via Dhaka down to Benalpole, Petrapole," said Bhaumik.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina had jointly flagged off the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati and the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus services during former's visit to Bangladesh on June 6.

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While the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati service is yet to start, the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala service began operating, while only West Bengal and Bangladesh are plying their buses.