New era of regional connectivity

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal sign motor vehicle agreement today

In a groundbreaking development with regard to inter-country connectivity, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal signs an agreement today that will allow movement of cargo and passenger vehicles between these four countries.
Transport Ministers of the four countries will sign the agreement titled ‘Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal’ in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu, government officials concerned told The Independent yesterday.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, who is already in the Bhutanese capital, will sign the deal on behalf of Bangladesh, they added.
According to the preamble of the draft of agreement obtained by The Independent, the governments have agreed to the agreement “Considering the importance of closer regional economic cooperation and integration through enhanced regional connectivity through road transport in the countries and recognising the need for promoting cross-border road transportation for increased intra-regional and inter-regional trade.”
“This is going to be a groundbreaking development in the subcontinent in terms of connectivity. Even ten years ago, no one could even think that a person with his private car will be able to travel from Dhaka to Srinagar in Kashmir. That’s what we are going to see after the signing and implementation of the agreement,” a government official, involved with the negotiations, told The Independent.
After the signing of the agreement, the concerned countries will complete the modalities including selection of routes and other formalities bilaterally, he said, adding that it should not take more than six months.
To a question, the official said, “I hope that vehicles will start plying under this agreement within a year.”   
Under the agreement, the four countries will allow cargo vehicles (including trucks, trailers etc. That would carry containerised cargo) for inter-country cargo including third country cargo and passenger vehicles for both hire and reward or personal vehicles. The vehicular movement will be subject to the terms of the agreement.
All the vehicles of a country will require a permit for plying through the other country or countries. The permit will be issued after verification of all the required documents including registration certificate, fitness certificate and insurance policy. The availability of all relevant documents will be ensured at all time while plying in the territory of any country or countries.
Crew members of the vehicles will carry passports or relevant accepted documents which will be issued to facilitate frequent endorsement of visas and will be granted multiple entry visa, valid for at least one year, by the countries concerned.

New era of regional connectivity

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal sign motor vehicle agreement today

In a groundbreaking development with regard to inter-country connectivity, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal signs an agreement today that will allow movement of cargo and passenger vehicles between these four countries. Transport Ministers of the four countries will sign the agreement titled Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu, government officials concerned told The Independent yesterday. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, who is already in the Bhutanese capital, will sign the deal on behalf of Bangladesh, they added. According to the preamble of the draft of agreement obtained by The Independent, the governments have agreed to the agreement Considering the importance of closer regional economic cooperation and integration through enhanced regional connectivity through road transport in the countries and recognising the need for promoting cross-border road transportation for increased intra-regional and inter-regional trade. This is going to be a groundbreaking development in the subcontinent in terms of connectivity. Even ten years ago, no one could even think that a person with his private car will be able to travel from Dhaka to Srinagar in Kashmir. Thats what we are going to see after the signing and implementation of the agreement, a government official, involved with the negotiations, told The Independent. After the signing of the agreement, the concerned countries will complete the modalities including selection of routes and other formalities bilaterally, he said, adding that it should not take more than six months. To a question, the official said, I hope that vehicles will start plying under this agreement within a year. Under the agreement, the four countries will allow cargo vehicles (including trucks, trailers etc. That would carry containerised cargo) for inter-country cargo including third country cargo and passenger vehicles for both hire and reward or personal vehicles. The vehicular movement will be subject to the terms of the agreement. All the vehicles of a country will require a permit for plying through the other country or countries. The permit will be issued after verification of all the required documents including registration certificate, fitness certificate and insurance policy. The availability of all relevant documents will be ensured at all time while plying in the territory of any country or countries. Crew members of the vehicles will carry passports or relevant accepted documents which will be issued to facilitate frequent endorsement of visas and will be granted multiple entry visa, valid for at least one year, by the countries concerned.