Bus service from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka operates for first time in 17 months

The cross-border bus service linking West Bengal’s Kolkata with Tripura’s Agartala via Dhaka has resumed after being suspended for nearly 17 months.

Akhaura Land Port Immigration Police chief Abdus Sattar said an Indian bus carrying six people, including three passengers, crossed into India through the Akhaura land port on Tuesday, bdnews24.com reports. 

He added that a trial run was conducted earlier on Feb 20, with the bus returning to Kolkata the following day using the same route.

Land port authorities said regular operations for the Moitree and Shyamoli services are scheduled to begin on Feb 28, with buses set to run six days a week.

Officials said passenger numbers were low initially, but they expect demand to pick up as visa-related complications ease.

Tripura media outlets reported that Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury welcomed the bus at the Agartala border.

In a Facebook post, he wrote that development depends on cooperation and that such cooperation strengthens ties between neighbouring countries.

The international service was launched in 2001 and was suspended after Aug 5, 2024 following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The halt continued through the interim government period, officials said.

They said the route is being restored following the general election and the normalisation of Bangladeshi visas for Indian citizens.