KOLKATA: A trial run of the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala direct bus service began on Monday.

The bus, carrying 12-member Indian delegation, left Karunamoyee Bus Terminal of Salt Lake in Kolkata and will cross over to Bangladesh later in the day and travel through the country and enter Tripura through the Akhaura check post.

Later on Tuesday, it will arrive at Agartala International Bus Terminus at about 7am. The bus will return from Agartala on June 3 in the morning and reach Kolkata on the same day.

Sources concerned said a Bangladeshi delegation will welcome the bus at Benapole border and four of the delegation will join the journey. On the other hand, delegation from Tripura government, will welcome the bus at Agartala.
 
The initiate has been taken to assess feasibility of a direct bus route, facilities to passengers and overall management, said Abani Ghosh, official concerned of Shyamoli Paribahan.

The route reduces the distance between Agartala and Kolkata by 513 km from 1000 kilometers.  The total travel time is around 19 hours including formalities at the immigration centers.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will flag off the Volvo bus service on June 4 from Nabanna, the administrative building of the state.

BDST: 1524 HRS, JUN 1, 2015
RS