Kolkata is state capital of West Bengal. Agartala is capital of north eastern state Tripura. Dhaka is the capital of neighboring country Bangladesh.
Now, a history is created with the inauguration of bus service from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka, a foreign capital.
In fact,those having idea of the geography of north eastern part of India can realize the importance of this bus service. Tripura, a tiny north eastern state is surrounded by Bangladesh by three sides, is only connected to main India via National Highway 44 going to Assam. To reach kolkata via Guwahati by bus or train it takes 2 days from Agartala. The distance between Agartala and Kolkata becomes around 1500 kms, but the distance becomes only around 350 km if the journey is allowed via Dhaka.For the people of Tripura, airway has been the main medium of communication to reach to Kolkata and from there to other parts of the country. So, this route is highly expensive yet people of Tripura have to afford it. Now, with this new bus service, they can hope for an affordable journey in less time frame.
There is a basic similarity between these 3 places. Kolkata, Agartala and Dhaka speak the same language, Bengali. Though, Dhaka is a foreign capital, most of the Bengali residing in Tripura having ancestral root in Bangladesh and nearly half of the population in West Bengal had their root in Bangladesh( wrest while East Bengal). So, there is a similarity in language, culture and tradition.
This bus service has been kept as a pending issue for so many years and people of Tripura have been waiting for this over a long period of time.
Now, with the best wishes of both the Government this bus service has finally commenced off. Soon, the high officials of both the countries will fix the fare of the bus journey. But, the fair will be below Rs. 2000 anyways, far more cheaper then Agartala -Kolkata air fare.
This bus journey will be a fascinating one while passengers will enjoy the bus ride over the river Padma in Bangladesh. The bus will start from Salt Lake Karunamayee Bus stand in Kolkata and and will enter Agartala via Akhuara Border in Bangladesh. The journey will end in Tripura Road Transport Service(TRTC) office at Krishnanagar in Agartala.
