AGARTALA, Sep 3 (TIWN): As per Bangladesh short-term route permit agreement with India to transport petroleum products from Assam to Tripura via Bangladesh is scheduled to begin from Sept 7. The short term route permit by Bangladesh to meet an end to the acute crisis of petrol in Tripura and will also tighten the bond between India and Bangladesh. It is to be mentioned here that Bangladesh has inked a short-term route permit agreement to allow India transport petroleum products from the northeastern state of Assam to Tripura through Bangladesh in the wake of floods that have drastically damaged Indian roads. The MoU was signed following India's request to Bangladesh in this regard. Trucks carrying petroleum products will ply on the Dawki (Meghalaya)-Tamabil (Bangladesh)-Chatlapur (Bangladesh)-Kailasahar (Tripura) route. The short-term deal is valid till September 30. The MoU will facilitate India to carry petroleum goods (Motor Spirit, High Speed Diesel, Superior Kerosene Oil & Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

India and Bangladesh have allowed each other to use their respective territories to transfer goods from one place to another and to a third country in the past in addition to the existing transit and transhipment deals arrangements. Tripura had in the past few days witnessed strong protests by petroleum consumers as well as opposition political parties over the fuel shortage. Trinamool Congress workers blocked roads, burnt effigies of ministers and demonstrated against the government for its alleged failure to maintain smooth supply.

But, even as the alternative highway which is currently being used only for passing fuel tankers – is back in use, National Highway 8(44), the main lifeline of Tripura continues to be in bad shape despite repeated pleas by the state government to the Centre. About one km of NH8 between Churaibari and Lowerpoa – again inside Assam territory has mostly remained unusable since the rains began in May. The Assam PWD has started repairing it last week, but officials in Tripura said the progress was slow. With the major potholes filled and the knee-deep slush removed, vehicles however have started taking NH8(44) too.

Now that the Kathaltoli-Chankhira portion of the alternative highway is through and NH8 is also slowly back in shape, the state can hope to stock as much fuel and other essential items required for the remaining months of the rainy season.

Other than taking any steps to curb the problem of petrol crisis, the Tripura government has blamed the Centre for the "pitiable state of National Highway" linking Tripura with the rest of the country through Assam, Meghalaya and north Bengal.

A 22-km stretch of the highway between Patharkandi in Karimganj district of Assam and Churaibari in the state has remained virtually unusable due to lack of timely repair.