DHAKA: The dry run of passenger-bus plying from Dhaka to Guwahati of Assam in India started on Friday with the view to increase the people to people connection of Bangladesh and India.

Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran inaugurated the bus service at Kamalapur BRTC International Bus Terminal in city around 3pm.

The buses, with a passenger of 26-30, will ply through Dhaka-Sylhet-Tamabil-Dawki-Shillong-Guwahati route.

Both Obaidul Quader and Pankaj Saran termed the bus service starting as a sign of heightened relation between Bangladesh and India.

Quader said a protocol and an agreement will be signed before starting the service finally.

He further said “The proposed agreement and protocol were finalized in the inter-ministerial meeting. These will be presented to cabinet for approval after vetting within this month.”

He also expected that the agreement and protocol will be signed during the imminent visit of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh.

Drivers will be trained for the sinuous road of the route, he added.

Road Transport and Bridges secretary MAN Siddique and other high ups of the ministry and BRTC were present in the ceremony.

BDST: 2002 HRS, MAY 22, 2015
SR