Uncertainty hangs over transport service of BBIN

Munima Sultana | Published: November 18, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

Uncertainty hangs over timely launch of passenger and container services under the motor vehicle agreement (MVA) among four South Asian countries for delay in ratifying the deal by Bhutan and Nepal, sources said.
The two Himalayan countries are yet to ratify the MVA despite the signing of the agreement by the transport ministers of the four nations five months ago.
To give the go-ahead to the four-nation transport cooperation for regional connectivity, India and Bangladesh ratified the MVA shortly after the signing ceremony held on June 15.
Foreign ministry sources said they had contacted the two mission offices here and were informed that ratification of the MVA would be done during the parliament sessions of the respective countries.
But informed sources pointed out a change in political scenario and latest twists to diplomatic relations behind the delay in ratification by Nepal.
Both the National Council and National Assembly of Bhutan, the upper and lower houses of the country, meet twice a week. But they are yet to sit.
The FE tried to reach both the foreign mission offices but could not get any response.
Bangladesh and India ratified the MVA through cabinet endorsement on August 24 to create scope for passenger and freight traffic across the borders of the agreement-signatory countries.
The BBIN motor agreement will enter into force on its ratification and issuance of notifications by all the four countries.
However, competent sources said, changes in relationship between India and Nepal have already been reflected as Nepal has been dropped from the prescheduled motor rally that began on November 14.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, which is coordinating the rally from Bangladesh side, has also stated in paper 'Motor Rally Bangladesh Bhutan India'. Officials of the ministry preferred not to make any comment in this regard and the Road Transport and Bridges Secretary was out of the country.
But officials said they were working as per the schedule announced by the four transport ministers during the signing ceremony of MVA in Bhutan.
The cross-border car run titled BBIN Friendship Motor Rally through Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) to launch sub-regional connectivity has already been delayed by a month.
It was earlier announced for October to highlight the sub-regional connectivity and the scope and opportunities for greater people-to-people contact and trade under the BBIN initiative.
The motor rally, which started Saturday from Bhubaneswar in Orissa of India, was supposed to cross Ranchi in Bihar and Patna of India, Kathmandu and Biratnagar in Nepal, Fuentsoling, Thimphu, Bhumthang and Mongar in Bhutan, and Guwahati and Shilchar of Assam and Agartala in Tripura of India.
Â Â Â Bangladesh part of the rally will begin through Bilonia of Feni by completing journey to Bhutan on November 28.
The trans-border motor caravan will leave Bangladesh for Kolkata through Benapole border on December 01. A total of 20 cars of Kalinga Motor Sports Club nominated by India are participating in the rally, where six are from Bangladesh.
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