(a) the neighbouring countries alongwith the destinations from where the bus services are being made available as on date;
(b) whether a bus service from Agartala to Dhaka is proposed to be introduced;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the progress made so far in this regard; and
(e) the time by which this service is likely to be provided?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)
(a) Passenger bus services are available between Calcutta- Dhaka (Bangladesh) and New Delhi- Lahore (Pakistan) under agreements with the Government of Bangladesh and the Government of Pakistan respectively. However, there are also bus services which ply between India-Bhutan & India-Nepal on Ad-hoc-basis.
(b) to (e) During the visit of the Minister of State for External Affairs to Bangladesh in January 2000, it was agreed that a bus service between Agartala and Dhaka would be started, the modalities for which will be worked out by the two countries. A bilateral meeting to work out the modalities for operationalising the Agartala - Dhaka bus service is being scheduled.