Luxury bus services start from Kolkata to Delhi, 3 other major cities | Check rates

Following a major political transition in West Bengal, direct luxury interstate bus services have officially commenced from Kolkata to four major national destinations, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Puri. The premium long-distance coaches, operated by private transport entrepreneur Shyamoli Paribahan, were officially flagged off from the Karunamoyee Bus Terminus in Salt Lake on Wednesday. State Transport Minister Arjun Singh and BJP State President Shamik Bhattacharya attended the inauguration, emphasizing that the newly elected administration succeeded in expediting operational permits within two months of taking office.

The premium daily service introduces modern amenities for long-distance commuters, including personal TV screens with OTT connectivity, bio-toilets, individual pillows, sheets, and an onboard mini-snack bar serving tea, coffee, and water. Under the new pricing structure, the fare for the 17-hour journey to Delhi is set between 2,500 and 3,000, while the travel time to Chennai spans 24 hours at a cost of 4,700. Journeys to Bengaluru will take approximately 35 hours at a fixed rate of 4,500 rupees, whereas the special Volvo service covering the 8-hour trip to the holy town of Puri is priced between 1,500 and 2,000.

During the launch ceremony, Rajya Sabha MP Shamik Bhattacharya criticized the previous administration for leaving government transport networks nearly defunct and stated that the new government actively welcomes Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to simplify licensing workflows. Arun Ghosh, the Managing Director and founder of Shyamoli Paribahan, expressed deep regret over past institutional non-cooperation, detailing how his applications had languished across government departments for four consecutive years. Ghosh alleged that the previous Trinamool Congress regime repeatedly delayed approvals with shifting excuses and financial demands, blockades that were resolved last week when Minister Arjun Singh formally dismantled the regulatory red tape.