After more than a year-long suspension, the international bus service linking Agartala, Dhaka and Kolkata is set to restart, reviving a key transport corridor for travellers between Tripura, Bangladesh and West Bengal. The route, run jointly by the Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) and Royal Maitree, was halted after visa services were suspended and passenger numbers fell.
Speaking to India Today NE, passenger guide Sipon Sarkar said the service remained inactive because visas were not being issued, which prevented many potential travellers from making the trip. “The service was suspended for over a year, but yesterday we brought the bus here for a test run,” he said, adding that the goal is to resume regular operations so the public becomes aware of the restored route.
Driver Fayeg Ahmood expressed cautious optimism about returning to full services. “For the time being, as a trial trip we are driving the bus. At present there are no passengers, but we are hopeful it will soon pick up,” he said.
Fayeg also said officials from the Bangladesh High Commission have indicated that visa processing for students, tourists and other travellers is expected to resume shortly — a key requirement for reliable cross‑border travel on this route. He noted that a staff strength of around 25 is ready to ensure that, once full‑fledged operations begin, services can start immediately without delay.
If visa services do restart and demand returns, the Agartala‑Dhaka‑Kolkata bus could once again provide an affordable, direct link for passengers, students and tourists traveling between northeastern India and Bangladesh.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/tripura/story/agartala-dhaka-kolkata-bus-service-set-to-resume-after-over-a-year-trial-run-begins-1349469-2026-02-21?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-02-21 12:49:00
