Agartala–Kolkata bus service via Dhaka resumes after 15 months as Tripura Minister Sushanta Chowdhury welcomes passengers at Akhaura ICP, highlighting India-Bangladesh ties, medical tourism growth, trade revival, and increased foreign tourist arrivals boosting Tripura’s economy.
The Agartala–Kolkata bus service via Dhaka resumed on Tuesday after a hiatus of 15 months. The landmark moment was marked by Sushanta Chowdhury, Transport and Tourism Minister of Tripura, who warmly welcomed passengers at the Akhaura Integrated Check Post upon the bus’s arrival from Bangladesh.
The bus, which began its journey from Kolkata, traveled through Dhaka before entering Agartala, symbolizing the restoration of a crucial transport link that had remained suspended for over a year. The service, popularly known as the Kolkata–Dhaka–Agartala and Agartala–Dhaka–Kolkata route, has long been regarded as a lifeline for passengers, traders, patients, and tourists traveling between the two neighboring countries.
Speaking to media persons at the Integrated Check Post, Chowdhury said the resumption of the bus service reflects improving diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. “The Kolkata–Dhaka–Agartala bus service has resumed after a gap of 15 months. The bus which started its journey from Kolkata entered Agartala today,” he said.
The minister referred to recent diplomatic developments, noting that the Prime Minister of India had congratulated the newly elected government of Bangladesh. He also mentioned that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, conveying a message of stronger bilateral ties and mutual cooperation.
Emphasizing the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations, Chowdhury said India considers Bangladesh part of its extended family due to shared cultural and historical bonds. He acknowledged that bilateral ties had faced turbulence over the past year but added that normalcy is gradually being restored.
“Our connectivity is being restored, and with that, development of trade and culture will definitely take place. In the days to come, the friendly bond between India and Bangladesh will further enrich,” he said.
The minister stressed that friendship and cooperation are indispensable for development. According to him, peace, stability, and economic growth depend on strong bilateral relations and mutual understanding. He described the Agartala–Dhaka–Kolkata bus service as a powerful example of such friendship in action.
Medical tourism is expected to receive a significant boost with the revival of the bus route. Chowdhury noted that before the suspension, a substantial number of patients from Bangladesh traveled to Tripura for medical treatment. Over the last 15 to 16 months, this movement had come to a halt, impacting both healthcare institutions and allied sectors in the state.
“With the resumption of the bus service, medical tourism shall flourish. It has a big contribution to the state’s economy,” he said.
Tripura’s economy, particularly in border districts, is closely linked to cross-border movement and trade. Business activities, hospitality services, and retail markets have historically benefited from visitors arriving from Bangladesh. The minister stated that lifting barriers on travel would revitalize these sectors and generate renewed economic momentum.
The tourism sector, too, is poised for recovery. A large number of foreign tourists visiting Tripura traditionally come from Bangladesh. The suspension of movement between the two countries had adversely affected hotels, tour operators, transport services, and local businesses.
“When barriers on movements between Bangladesh and India were imposed, it impacted the tourism sector of the state as a whole. Now with the resumption of the bus service, the number of footfalls of foreign tourists shall increase,” Chowdhury said.
Highlighting Tripura’s performance in attracting international visitors, the minister stated that after Sikkim, Tripura ranks second among northeastern states in terms of foreign tourist arrivals. He expressed optimism that with gradual easing of visa and travel restrictions between India and Bangladesh through Tripura, the state could surpass Sikkim in the near future.
The revival of the bus service is being viewed not merely as a transportation milestone but as a symbol of renewed trust and cooperation between the two neighbors. Observers believe that improved connectivity will strengthen people-to-people contact, enhance cultural exchanges, and open new avenues for trade and investment.
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As passengers disembarked at the Akhaura Integrated Check Post, the atmosphere was marked by optimism and hope. The minister extended his best wishes to the travelers, expressing confidence that the journey would be successful and auspicious. He also voiced hope that just as the passengers would reach their destinations safely, both nations would achieve their shared goals of peace, prosperity, and sustained development.
With the wheels of the Agartala–Dhaka–Kolkata bus rolling once again, a new chapter in India-Bangladesh connectivity appears to have begun—one driven by friendship, cooperation, and a shared vision for regional progress.
