Nod to sign vehicle deal

AVIJIT SINHA, TT, Siliguri, June 10: The Union cabinet today approved signing of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement for movement of vehicles across the countries.

The agreement will be signed by transport ministers of the four nations in Bhutan's capital Thimphu on June 15.

Biswajit Das, the general secretary of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, north Bengal, said: "North Bengal has the uniqueness of sharing borders with the three nations which will sign the agreement along with India. The agreement would help in economic development of the region, boost export and import and facilitate movement of more and more people across the borders."

He added: "What we want is complete integration of all borders. For example, a car is entering Jaigaon through Phuentsholing (Bhutan to India) and wants to get into Kakarvitta from Panitanki (India to Nepal). As it enters Phuentsholing and the driver gets the permits, all offices en route, at Jaigaon, Panitanki and Kakarvitta, should have information about the car."

A Press Information Bureau press release said the agreement would "promote safe, economical efficient and environmentally sound road transport in the sub-region and will further help each country in creating an institutional mechanism for regional integration... The people of the four countries will benefit through seamless movement of goods and passenger...".

One can enter Bangladesh through four border points in north Bengal. There is a border route to Nepal and two roads to Bhutan.