Agartala–Dhaka–Kolkata Bus Resumes on Trial, Marking Tentative Thaw in India–Bangladesh Ties

Overview

• After nearly two years of suspension linked to unrest, the cross-border service restarted Tuesday with a bus carrying nine passengers via the Akhaura Integrated Check Post and was received by Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.
• Visa services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala reopened after nearly two months of suspension, restoring channels for personal, medical and business travel.
• Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma met new Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka, signaling New Delhi’s intent to engage the newly elected government.
• The Agartala–Dhaka route reduces the Agartala–Kolkata journey to about 500 km from roughly 1,600 km via Siliguri, offering clear economic benefits for Tripura and the wider northeast.
• Final commissioning of the Agartala–Akhaura rail link and broader BBIN motor vehicle arrangements remains pending after earlier delays tied to political turmoil.