AGARTALA, Nov 3 (TIWN): A trial run of cargo transport between Kolkata and Agartala through Dhaka, reducing the distance by nearly two-thirds, reached Aukhaura check post on Tuesday successfully. The trial run was flagged off on Sunday from the West Bengal state secretariat Nabanna in neighbouring Howrah district as a part of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement. DHL Global Forwarding bearing number WB- 1189519 carrying a consignment of electronics goods from Kolkata to Agartala through Dhaka reached Tripura Aukhaura check post on Tuesday afternoon sharp at 1 Am. However, a part of the cargo goods was also unloaded in Dhaka.Abhijjet Gaen, the driver of the vehicle also stated that he has successfully driven the vehicle from Kolkata with the goods and reached Dhaka on Monday. After unloading the consignment at Dhaka he again drove to Aukhura Check post with the remaining goods. It is to be mentioned here that aiming at unhindered cargo movement through designated corridors without any requirement of trans-shipment at the international borders between the four countries; the BBIN sub-regional initiative has reduced distance between Kolkata and Tripura's Agartala by nearly two thirds - from 1,550 kms to 640 km.

The BBIN motor vehicles agreement was signed on June 15 at Thimphu.

A trial cum pilot run of cargo vehicle on Kolkata-Agartala via Dhaka route under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement was flagged off from the West Bengal state secretariat Nabanna in neighbouring Howrah district on Sunday.

The distance would be further cut by another 150 km once Bangladesh completes construction of a bridge.

To allow faultless movement of goods and passengers through each other’s territories and ensure better regional connectivity, India proposed a motor vehicles agreement for the eight SAARC nations.

While the SAARC initiative remained unsuccessful (mainly due to opposition from Pakistan), BBIN inked a pact in June 2015.

India already had bilateral agreements with Bhutan and Nepal for free movement of vehicles. The four-nation treaty will allow India to travel through Bangladesh and vice-versa.

As an immediate impact, the treaty will end the remoteness of the north-eastern region that will now be accessed through Bangladesh. It will also encourage Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan to scale up trade through India.

India is already improving immigration, transit and road infrastructure to encourage Bangladesh-Nepal and Bangladesh-Bhutan trade.

The benefits of the project are obvious as with the shortening of distance, transport cost will also come down. However, beyond cost saving, it will also increase the connectivity with our eastern neighbours as well as the Association of South East Asian Nations.