Direct bus between Agartala, Kolkata via Bangladesh likely

A direct bus service between Agartala and Kolkata through Bangladesh is expected to be finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming visit to Dhaka, Tripura's new Governor Tathagata Roy said here Wednesday.

"I have learned that the direct bus service between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh is expected to be finalised when Prime Minister visits Dhaka next month," Roy told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

He said it would "open a new era in the India-Bangladesh relations" and that "the people of Tripura and other northeastern states would be greatly benefited".

A veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Roy on Wednesday took charge as the 16th governor of Tripura, now ruled by the Left Front.

He said the people of Tripura and other northeastern states are forced to go to Kolkata in West Bengal and other Indian states by flights even though the air fare is very costly.

"I have asked Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to take necessary steps in view of the possibilities to introduce the direct bus service between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh."

Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey said the Tripura government has been demanding direct bus services between Tripura and other northeastern states and Kolkata through Bangladesh for easy movement of people of the region.

"Since March 2010, a series of meetings were held between the officials of external affairs, road transport and highways ministries, Tripura government and concerned organisations. The last meeting in this regard was held in the road transport and highways ministry in New Delhi on May 14," Dey told IANS.

To a question, the new governor said that despite being a former BJP leader, his ideology would not play any role in delivering on his responsibilities.

"I know Tripura for many years. Many of my close relatives live in Tripura. My ancestral homes were in Bangladesh near to Tripura," Roy said, adding he was keen to serve Tripura and its people.