Agartala: The Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) is contemplating to introduce Volvo bus service in the recently opened Agartala-Kolkata route, via Dhaka, before the Durga Puja to manage traveler pressure, Tripura Transport Secretary Samarjit Bhowmik said on Saturday.
He said in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina had launched the much awaited Agartala-Kolkata direct bus service with two buses — one each of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and a Kolkata based private transport company, Shyamali Paribahan.
However, as per the agreement, TRTC has to run a luxury bus.
Moreover, the passengers on the route have increased manifold.
A Volvo bus is almost ready to be supplied to the TRTC by September 15, he said.
Bhowmik said TRTC is hoping to receive a Volvo bus at a cost of Rs 92 crore by this month.
“If everything goes on schedule, TRTC will be able to introduce Volvo bus service in the first week of October, which could be a puja bonanza for the people of the state,” he added.
At present, ‘Shyamali’ is charging Rs 2,000 per passenger for a one way journey, including Rs 500 as travel tax to Bangladesh, which the Tripura government did not agree to.
The state has proposed to charge Rs 1,500 per passenger for one-side journey keeping all aspects in mind.
He said the state government has already placed a demand before the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish a full-fledged Passport office here to cater to the local need, as a Passport Seva Kendra has started operation in Agartala. (UNI)
