Minor differences won't stop cross-border transport of four nations: Quader

Asserting that cross-border movement of vehicles between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) will start from January next year, Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader has said “minor disagreements” will not crate any hurdles this time.

He held out the assurance at a seminar on ‘Regional Communication Infrastructure’ organised for the delegates of the BBIN Friendship Motor Rally at a Dhaka hotel on Monday.

As many as 80 representatives from the four countries reached Dhaka in a cavalcade of 20 vehicles on Sunday.

The rally was flagged off in India’s Bhubaneswar on Nov 15.  After travelling 3,500 kilometres in 15 days, the motorcade reached Dhaka on Sunday.

“By doing away with suspicion and mistrust, we implemented the Land Boundary Agreement with India.  Similarly, all the border issues will be resolved.  Of course, there will be minor differences and problems, but that will be temporary. They will not hamper our journey,” the minister said at the seminar.   

To finalise the modalities of the cross-border movement of passenger, cargo and private vehicles, a workshop for the officials of the four countries will be held in Kolkata from Dec 3-4, the minister informed the seminar.

“At the workshop, a system to track vehicles and other issues will be worked out. Member countries will complete the preparations by December and from January the cross-border movement of vehicles between the four nations will start,” he said

Bangladesh had always been keen to establish transnational road communications with neighbouring countries to boost trade and people-to-people contact, Quader said.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal signed an agreement to facilitate a seamless movement of passenger, cargo and private vehicles across the frontiers of these four countries on Jun 15 this year.

The motor rally was organised on an experimental basis as part of this agreement.

From Dhaka, the motorcade will proceed to Kolkata via Benapole in Jessore on Dec 1.

The rally will end with a seminar in Kolkata on Dec 2.