Bus connects Siliguri with Kathmandu

BINITA PAUL, TT, 28 Aug 2019, Siliguri: A private transport company in Kathmandu has introduced a bus service that will connect Siliguri with the Nepal capital.

On Monday, the service was launched at an event held on the outskirts of Kathmandu.

Raghubir Mahaseth, the minister for transport management of Nepal, and Manjeev Singh Puri, the Indian ambassador to the Himalayan country, jointly flagged off the bus that reached Siliguri on Tuesday morning.

Sources in Kapan Sangyukta Yatayat Pvt Ltd, the company that has introduced the service, said buses would ply daily between Siliguri and Kathmandu.

"The bus service will not only benefit those who intend to visit Nepal or India but will also boost trade links between the two countries," said a representative of the company.

As of now, buses run between India and Nepal through borders in other areas, but this is the first time such a service has been introduced between Kathmandu and Siliguri via Kakarvitta ­ the bordering town of Nepal located around 40km from Siliguri. Kakarvitta falls in Jhapa district of Nepal.

Ashoke Baraily, operation manager of the company, said four air-conditioned buses would ply.

According to him, the fare will be Rs 1,250. There are 44 seats in each bus and during the travel, passengers will be provided with complimentary packaged water and snacks..