Tripura’s Transport Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, recently addressed the media regarding the highly anticipated restart of the international bus service between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka.
As of February 21, 2026, here is the breakdown of what the Minister stated:
1. A Milestone for Regional Connectivity
Minister Chowdhury described the resumption as a significant step for the people of Tripura. He noted that the bus service is a “lifeline” that reduces the travel distance between Agartala and Kolkata by more than half compared to the rail or road route through the Siliguri corridor.
- Trial Runs: He confirmed that trial runs began on February 21, with full commercial operations expected to be functional by the end of February 2026.
- Restoring Normalcy: He highlighted that the service had been suspended for over a year due to political instability in Bangladesh and security concerns.
2. Confidence in the New Bangladesh Government
Following the recent formation of a new government in Bangladesh, Minister Chowdhury expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations.
- Support for Trade: He welcomed the political stability in the neighboring country, stating it would boost cross-border trade and commerce, particularly at key points like Sabroom.
- “Part of the Family”: He affectionately referred to Bangladesh as “part of our family,” emphasizing the deep-rooted social and emotional bonds between the people of Tripura and Bangladesh.
3. Focus on Passenger Safety
The Minister addressed the previous concerns that led to the service’s suspension—specifically an incident in late 2024 where an Indian bus was allegedly attacked by a mob in Bangladesh.
- Security Assurance: He assured the public that the current environment is “suitable” for travel and that authorities on both sides are coordinating to ensure the safety of Indian passengers.
- Visa Services: He also mentioned that with the stabilization of ties, visa services that were previously restricted are also set to normalize soon.
4. Demand for Rail Connectivity
In addition to the bus service, Chowdhury reiterated his demand for a passenger train service from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka. He has urged the Central Government to operationalize the Agartala-Akhaura rail link for passenger travel to further ease transportation for the Northeast.
