Several deals, including one for transit, will be signed between Bangladesh and India during the upcoming Dhaka visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Responding to India’s demand, Bangladesh will allow direct bus service between Kolkata and Agartala via Dhaka, which is seen as almost similar to a road transit.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, now visiting India, has already met his counterpart Nitin Gadhari and both have agreed on the road transit.
Apart from this, Bangladesh and India agreed to start the Dhaka-Shilong-Guahati bus service which will be given a test run on May 22. If the trial goes well, then the route will be opened permanently.
The two governments are also thinking about opening bus services on the Kolkata-Chittagong, Shillong-Chittagong, Khulna-Kolkata and Jessore-Kolkata routes, Obaidul Quader told reporters in Delhi on Monday.
During a meeting between the ministers, India positively responded to a request for a second L/C for 500 trucks, 300 double-deckers, 100 articulated buses and the relevant equipment for BRTC.
Road transit
“The Kolkata-Dhaka bus service was introduced in 1999 and Agartala-Dhaka service in 2003. Considering positive feedback from passengers, we thought about launching the Dhaka-Kolkata-Agartala bus service. Soon, a draft will be prepared in this regard,” the Bangladesh minister said.
The Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura lie on the west and east of Bangladesh respectively.
To travel from West Bengal to Tripura and vice-versa by road, Indians have to undertake a long, roundabout, three-day journey around the north of Bangladesh and change transport several times. If they can use Bangladesh’s territory, then the Kolkata-Agartala journey will take less than 24 hours.
India’s longstanding demand for this transit has been hanging in the balance for a long time because of bilateral problems.
BBIN motor vehicle deal
The two neighbours have drawn very close to signing the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) motor vehicle agreement.
If the agreement is signed, private, public and commercial vehicles will be able travel to any of these countries without having to face any transshipment hassle.
Bangladesh’s Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary MAN Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “Once the BBIN is signed, tourists will be allowed to travel on private transport between these countries. Moreover, permitted public bus services and commercial vehicles like those carrying goods will also be allowed without transshipment.”
India offered to sign a deal at last year’s Saarc Summit in Nepal’s Kathmandu but Pakistan opposed that. So, keeping Pakistan out, these four countries have been trying to sign the deal. But, before finalising the deal, road transport ministers of the four countries will sit at a meeting at Bhutan’s Thimphu.
Other deals
Obaidul Quader also said the decision to build a bridge between Ramgarh in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Subrum in Tripura is likely to be finalised during Modi’s visit.
According to a Bangladesh official, after the bridge is constructed, two land ports will be built in Bangladesh and India. There will be a four-lane 58km road touching Ashuganj, Akhaura and Agartala.