The long-suspended Kolkata Agartala bus services via Dhaka resumed this week, restoring a key cross-border transport link that city traders say is critical to central Kolkata’s informal economy. The revival follows political developments in Bangladesh and signals a cautious reopening of a passenger corridor that supports tourism, retail trade and small hospitality businesses in the city’s historic commercial districts.
The service, which connects Tripura’s capital to Kolkata through Dhaka, had been halted for over a year amid political uncertainty and tightening visa approvals. Transport officials confirmed that buses will initially run twice weekly, with scope for additional frequency depending on demand and administrative coordination between the two countries. For neighbourhoods around Marquis Street, Free School Street, Collin Street and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, the restart carries economic weight. These mixed-use precincts home to budget hotels, exchange counters, restaurants and small-format retailers have traditionally relied on steady inflows of visitors from Bangladesh. Local trade associations estimate that cross-border footfall had dropped sharply during the suspension, leading to closures, staff layoffs and renegotiated rents.
Urban economists note that international bus corridors such as the Kolkata Agartala bus services are more than mobility infrastructure; they anchor micro-economies built around medical travel, seasonal shopping and family visits. With air travel often costlier and rail routes limited, the bus corridor provides an affordable, lower-carbon alternative that supports inclusive regional connectivity. Industry representatives indicate that current arrivals are still largely tied to medical visas. However, traders expect seasonal travel linked to Ramzan and Eid to test whether consumer confidence returns. Retailers specialising in garments, footwear and household goods typically see peak sales during this period, and hospitality operators are preparing for a gradual uptick rather than an immediate surge.
Urban planners argue that cross-border transport resilience is increasingly vital for eastern India’s growth strategy. Strengthening bus-based connectivity can reduce congestion from short-haul flights and private vehicles while distributing economic activity beyond metropolitan cores. For Kolkata, which is working to revitalise older commercial districts without displacing legacy businesses, restored international routes offer a pathway to stabilise livelihoods without large-scale redevelopment. Officials on both sides have described the restart as part of broader efforts to normalise people-to-people movement. Yet, sustained recovery will depend on predictable visa processes, border management efficiency and traveller safety assurances. If frequency increases and administrative bottlenecks ease, the Kolkata Agartala bus services could once again become a dependable artery linking eastern India with Bangladesh reinforcing trade, tourism and shared urban prosperity in a region where mobility and markets remain closely intertwined.
