New Delhi: The Centre has decided to revive the old trade route with Bangladesh through Umngi river in West Khasi Hills and has sought Dhaka’s view in this regard.
This was informed by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma on Tuesday.
In a letter to the Shillong MP Vincent H Pala, Sharma said all other stake holders concerning this old trade route had been consulted.
“It has been decided to seek view of Bangladesh Government on the proposal,” he said.
Pala had earlier urged the Union Minister to revive the old trade route through which both export and import used to be done through this river route earlier. The 87 km long Umngi River originates in West Khasi Hills and finally flows into Bangladesh.
The government had also proposed to build a reservoir at about 31 km downstream of the river Umngi.
According to this scheme, the waters of the river can be utilized to support a huge hydro-electric project as well as irrigation.