Rising Indo-Bangla travel and trade demand fuels urgent calls for visa liberalisation as Agartala–Kolkata bus service via Dhaka faces uncertainty. Long queues, medical tourism growth, and business expansion highlight need for streamlined visa reforms.
The growing demand for smoother cross-border movement between India and Bangladesh has intensified calls for visa liberalisation, particularly after the resumption of the Agartala–Kolkata bus service. The service, operating via Dhaka, was relaunched with high expectations, promising to strengthen connectivity and boost regional trade. However, operational uncertainty now looms as passenger movement remains heavily dependent on the timely issuance of visas.
On Tuesday, an unusually large gathering of visa applicants was witnessed outside the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. The long queues and extended waiting periods reflect a sharp surge in demand for Bangladeshi visas among residents of Tripura and neighboring northeastern states. For many applicants, securing an appointment has become a time-consuming and uncertain process, underscoring the pressing need for administrative reforms.
Official sources indicate that the number of visas issued daily may increase in the coming months. Nevertheless, applicants argue that the current processing capacity falls short of meeting the growing needs of businesspersons, students, medical travelers, and tourists. Improved connectivity between Agartala, Kolkata, and Dhaka has significantly stimulated cross-border travel demand, creating new opportunities for commerce and cultural exchange.
A particularly notable trend is the increasing number of Bangladeshi citizens seeking visas to India for medical treatment and tourism. Hospitals in eastern and northeastern India have long been regarded as reliable and affordable healthcare destinations. Simultaneously, Indian traders and tourists are showing growing interest in visiting Bangladesh, encouraged by enhanced transport links and expanding market prospects. This two-way flow highlights the deepening economic interdependence between the two neighboring nations.
Policy observers believe that the Tripura state government should adopt a more proactive stance by engaging in structured dialogue with the Central Government to expand visa quotas and streamline procedures. A coordinated bilateral approach could ensure that transport initiatives such as the Agartala–Kolkata bus route achieve their full potential. Without efficient visa processing, even the most promising connectivity projects risk losing momentum.
Experts have also recommended introducing special visa categories, including medical visas, tourist group visas, and business facilitation passes. The adoption of digital appointment systems and faster verification mechanisms could further reduce congestion while enhancing transparency and efficiency. Modernising visa infrastructure would not only ease traveler inconvenience but also reinforce diplomatic goodwill.
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The current scenario presents a paradox. While diplomatic ties and infrastructure connectivity between India and Bangladesh are improving steadily, bureaucratic bottlenecks threaten to slow down progress. Visa liberalisation, therefore, emerges as more than a procedural adjustment; it is a strategic imperative for regional growth. Strengthening cross-border mobility could transform the Agartala–Dhaka–Kolkata corridor into a dynamic hub of trade, tourism, healthcare, and cultural exchange, cementing a new era of partnership between the two nations.
