The trial-run of cargo vehicles between India and Bangladesh was completed on Monday paving the way for seamless movement of traffic under Bangladesh-Bhutan India-Nepal Motor Vehicle (BBIN MVA) agreement between the Road Transport Ministries from both sides.
The first cargo truck from Bangladesh reached the Inland Customs Depot in Patparganj in the national Capital with a Delhi-bound consignment on Monday. The BBIN MVA agreement was signed last year on June 15 in Thimphu, Bhutan to facilitate cross border movement of both passenger and cargo vehicles in the sub-region.
The truck of Nazrul Transport Agency and Expo Freight Pvt ltd from Bangladesh was dispatched from Dhaka on August 27, 2016 as part of a trial run under the BBIN MVA pact. Protocols to implement the Agreement are being negotiated by the four countries for passenger and cargo vehicles separately.
“The trial run was organised to help develop the protocols for implementing the deal,” said Road Transport and Highways Ministry.
The cargo vehicle started its journey from Dhaka and reached at Petrapole on August 28 and Kolkata on August 29. Travelling about 1,850 kms through West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, UP, Haryana and Delhi it reached Custom Depot in New Delhi on Monday.
“The truck was issued an E-permit for the trial run through an online web based system. This will help establish a customer friendly process acceptable to and recognised by all BBIN countries. The consignment did not have to undergo any customs clearance at the border. Instead, when it reached the first Indian customs station at border point Petrapole, an electronic seal with GPS tracking device was fixed on the truck so that the goods could be inspected for custom clearance at Delhi rather than at the border," said the statement.
An electronic online vehicle tracking system was also installed in the truck that facilitated real time monitoring of its progress. The truck was thus allowed to pass through without delay or causing congestion.
“The trial run has demonstrated that time and cost can be saved through facilitation of seamless transport through the sub-region. Steps are being taken to facilitate seamless movement of cargo vehicles will give a major boost to trade and business in the sub-region,” further said the statement. A similar trial run of cargo vehicle from India was conducted in November, 2015 from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka.