Agartala–Dhaka bus service stopped

Risingbd Desk: International bus service between Agartala and Dhaka has been hit by political turmoil in Bangladesh, reports The Hindu.

Both Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) stopped plying daily passenger buses for safety reasons.

“For the last 10 days we are not running the bus. Bangladesh side also stopped the service,” TRTC Managing Director R. Malakar said.

Officials said the decision to halt the service, first introduced in 2003, was taken as protestors in Bangladesh are mainly targeting passenger vehicles and goods trucks. General strikes and road blockades by BNP-led alliance in Bangladesh also impacted export and import trade with Bangladesh.

“The trade activities at Akhaura border in Agartala and three other border points in Tripura almost collapsed due to relentless violence in Bangladesh. Exporters and importers are incurring huge loss,” said M.L. Debnath, President of Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

State Trade and Commerce Minister Tapan Chakraborty had earlier spoken on encouraging export and import trade. Current annual trade volume touched Rs 300 crores which was only a few crores two decades ago, he stated.

Besides trade, travellers from both countries are facing a tough situation duo to the unrest. “Many passengers are not wanting to travel as bus service from both ends came to a standstill,” TRTC MD Mr Malakar added.

Source: The Hindu

Risingbd/DHAKA/Feb 8, 2015/Mukul