A high-level delegation from Bangladesh was here recently to discuss the modalities. A joint group, comprising officials from the ministries of surface transport, communication, home affairs, foreign affairs, customs, immigration, proposed operators and road and highways departments of the two countries, has been constituted.

The group will meet in Dhaka on July 18-19, 2000. It will survey the roads and other infrastructure facilities in both the countries on the two possible routes, namely via Bhairab Bazar and via Comilla, by physically travelling.

The joint group will make recommendations for considerations by the respective governments on the best option for the bus route and also suggest improvements needed for operation of the bus service. Thereafter, a bilateral government-level meeting is proposed to be held at an early date to work out the modalities and to prepare a draft agreement to facilitate early operationalisation of the Dhaka-Agartala bus service.