AGARTALA, Oct 16 (TIWN): In an historic moment for the land-locked Tripura, Transport Minister Manik Dey on Friday inaugurated the maiden Volvo bus service for Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka at TRTC complex.

AMC Mayor Prafullajit Sinha, Transport Secretary Samarjit Bhowmik, Chief Secretary Yashpal Singh along with others remained present in the historic moment of Tripura.

Inaugurating the maiden journey of the first ever state own Volvo bus service for Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka,  Transport Minister Manik Dey said that this bus service from Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka will further strengthen the bond of friendship and unity between Tripura and Bangaldesh.  This service will further boost the cultural bonding between the both the countries, added Dey.

Keeping in mind the rising air fares, this international standard Volvo bus is catered with an aim for comfort of Tripura passengers, said Dey.

It is to be mentioned here that the Cost of one ticket will be Rs 1800 including Bangladesh travelling tax.

Speaking to media, Transport Minister Manik Dey further said that the Volvo bus is catered in the state to provide luxurious service to the people of the state.

Despite all odds and with an aim to meet the demand of the land-locked Tripura and to contain the rise in airfares the bus service for Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka has finally kicked off its journey from Agartala.

Altogether 17 passengers have boarded in the Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka Volvo bus.  Among the 17 passengers, 11 people will drop at Dhaka and 6 people will move ahead to Kolkata.

However, Minister Dey further added that, spot ticket facility is also available in the bus for anyone to board on the bus for Kolkata from Dhaka.

He further said that 3 drivers identified as Deepak Kumar Ghosh, Tapan Deb and Aurobindo Ghosh who went under training at Bangalore are given the responsibility of driving the bus safely to Kolkata.

However, following the inauguration of the Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka Volvo bus service, one AC bus for Agartala – Guwahati route is also inaugurated. The fare for the Agartala – Guwahati Ac bus service is fixed at Rs600. Apart on the same day more 20 AC city bus service for 6 different routes were also inaugurated.

After facing several obstacles, the much awaited state own Volvo bus service has finally kick-off its journey on Friday.

The Bus itself cost Rs 88 lakh 23 thousand and after all other chargers including insurance and other things the range stands at Rs91, 21,221.

The existing route between Kolkata and Agartala by road has been a complex one with an estimated distance of 1,650 kilometres. The journey through the narrow 'chicken neck' territory via Guwahati and Shillong takes around two days.

But the new route via Dhaka, Rupganj, Narsingdi, Brahmanberia and Akhaura would bring down the distance to 470 kilometres.