THE  Agartala Dhaka bus service finally flagged off reviving the nostalgia of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. With this Agartala became the third point in India after Delhi and Kolkata to have international bus service. Surface Transport Minister Maj (Retd) Bhuwan Chand Khanduri and Bangladesh Communication minister Nazmul Huda jointly flagging off the bus ‘Maitree’ for   its maiden run to Dhaka with 35 visitors.

It was capacity crowd at the TRTC terminus, Krishnanagar waiting for Maitree to start rolling and as both the ministers waved the flag, the crowd bursted into jubiliation. Even the women present on the occasion sounded uludhwani to make the service auspicious. Speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh Communication minister Nazmul Huda said, despite limitations in both end, the bus service will act a bridge between the two countries to improve the ties.

“Not only in the bus service, but our government is also keen on linking the railways for mutual interests”, he said adding that for the smooth running of the international bus service, a six kilometre by pass would be constructed to eliminate the transport bottleneck.

“With the financial support of the Economic and Social Council of Asia Pacific (ESCAP), we are eager to link Bangladesh and India with the proposed Trans Asian Railways running from Thailand and standardise Bangladesh Railways”, he pointed out. The Bangladesh minister was full of praise for the Tripura people for their moral support during the 1971 Muktiyuddha and said, even for once, I never felt I am out of my country as the culture and tradition are so similar.

Earlier, Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia expressed hope that the introduction of the Dhaka-Agartala direct bus service would enhance relationship between Bangladesh and India. Surface Transport Minister , Maj Gen (Retd) Bhuwan Chand Khanduri speaking on the occasion expressed hope that both the  countries would be immensely benefitted by the Dhaka-Agartala bus service and its success will lead to further strengthening of the ties between the two countries. Announcing a special sop for Tripura, he said, Agartala will be connected with four lane express highway with Shillong .

“Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had promised on August 15 last that all the State capital will be linked and Agartala would not be deprieved”, he said. “Apart from these under the Prime Ministers Gram Swarojgar Yojana all the villages will be provided with all weather roads at a cost of Rs 2500 crore”, he informed. Tripura Chief minister Manik Sarkar speaking on the occasion urged both the Bangladesh and Central Government to pave way for the much needed ‘Transit route’ through Bangladesh to bail out Tripura from the transportation bottleneck and geographical disadvantage . “The Transit Route would not only help Tripura but also help Bangladesh generate foreign exchange”, he said adding that it would also be better if the Chittagong and Ashuganj ports are allowed to use for Tripura . “I would urge the Centre and Bangladesh to decided on special status to Tripura in regards to trade with Bangladesh under which local telephone network be provided for Tripura and adjoining Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Sylhet, Noakhali and Chittagong districts for easy communication”, the Chief minister pointed out.

He also requested for waiving of the travel tax imposed by the Bangladesh Government. Shortly after the inaugural programme ,the scarlet coloured Maitree left for Dhaka during its maiden run with 35 dignitaries which included Jitendra Choudhury, Tribal welfare minister .

Earlier in the day, Surface Transport Minister B C Khanduri and his Bangladesh counterpart Nazmul Huda inaugurated the service in the Motijheel area of Dhaka amid wild jubiliation. After a ceremonious flag off within the premises of Road and Highways Department, two buses carrying nearly 100 people, including cultural and sports personalities, officials and media  left Dhaka for the historic trip in a motorcade.

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