Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday the authorities of the BBIN countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) would individually set tolls to be collected for movement of both people and goods in the region according to rules of the individual countries.
He said the agreement signed by the four South Asian nations would be implemented as per the decision of the authorities concerned.
“Officials of all four countries will have discussions before setting the tolls in accordance with the rules of the individual countries,” the minister told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after arriving from Butan.
The BBIN motor vehicles agreement was signed on June 15 in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, by transport ministers of the four countries, with expectations that it will boost regional connectivity.
“None can carry any product, which is banned in any of the BBIN countries, while visiting that particular country while valid documents will be needed for vehicles to enter from one country to another,” Quader said.
“Vehicles crossing the countries must have insurance coverage and authorised officials can search those. They will not be allowed to take passengers or load goods while in another country during the journey.”
The minister, in reply to a question, said the four-nation pact includes a provision for other Saarc nations to join the agreement.
He said the agreement would be reviewed in every three years or earlier upon consensus, and any country can pull out on a six-month notice.
At present, Bangladesh and India have a bilateral arrangement on passenger movement but Bangladeshi vehicles can enter Nepal or Bhutan through India and vice versa once the new agreement takes effect.
But the countries need six months to prepare the protocols before the agreement could be implemented.
Apart from easing movement of passengers and goods, the motor vehicles agreement is expected to have a positive impact on tourism and trade among the participating countries.