From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Connectivity between the Northeastern states with neighbouring Bangladesh will receive a boost with the introduction of much-awaited Shillong-Dhaka bus service, said External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Thursday.
In a letter to the Union Minister of State for Water Resources and Minority Affairs, Vincent H Pala, Krishna said the Centre is actively working on to improve connectivity between the region and neighbouring countries. This vital issue was also taken up during the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s last visit to Dhaka, he said.
The Shillong-Dhaka bus service set to begin soon, Krishna said.
The governments of India and Bangladesh had mutually agreed to initiate the bus service from next year, he said adding that clearance has also been received from the two governments.
For Shillong-Dawki-Sylhet-Dhaka bus service, Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for development of infrastructure.
Meghalaya has been demanding introduction of a direct bus service between Shillong and Sylhet. The border town of Dawki is 83 km from Shillong, while Sylhet is another 40 km from the Dawki-Tamabil check post.
Meghalaya shares mutual interest in terms of trade besides geographical and historical contiguity with the neighbouring country. Though Bangladesh is next door, people from Meghalaya need to undertake a long journey either to Agartala where the only visa office in the North East is located or to Kolkata.
Meanwhile, Air India sources said that it is also exploring the possibility of a Shillong-Dhaka flight. Steps have been taken for expansion and modernisation of Shillong Airport to handle bigger aircraft.
The External Affairs Minister is also considering a proposal for opening a car pass between Meghalaya and Bangladesh through Shella village. The proposed car pass will allow hundreds of vehicles to ferry by road between the two countries instead of passing through boats as the current practice.