Centre to launch direct Guwahati-Dhaka flight

SHILLONG: The Centre will launch a direct flight between Guwahati and Dhaka from March.
This was informed by Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner to India, Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur during a workshop in the city on Monday.
According to Monsur, connectivity is the thrust word towards establishing better relations between Bangladesh and the states in North East India.
Monsur focused on air, rail and road connectivity from the neighbouring country to North East in his speech at the one-day workshop on ‘Responsible Tourism’ held at the State Convention Centre.
The workshop, co-hosted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya and Outlook Responsible Tourism, and supported by North Eastern Council, was inaugurated by Meghalaya Home Minister James Sangma.
“About air connectivity, from next month Civil Aviation Ministry of India is going to launch a direct flight from Guwahati to Dhaka,” he said adding this development will enhance people to people connectivity and boost tourism.
Speaking about river connectivity, he said Bangladesh government is working on river connectivity presently and dredging activity is going on in full swing.
“The Government of India has extended a line of credit to the tune of USD 7 billion and under the line of credit, the Government of Bangladesh is also establishing connectivity between Bangladesh and NE of India via rail links,” he said. He added that efforts are on to establish rail connectivity between North East and Bangladesh.
Monsur observed that the once the connectivity projects are done, the North East traders can carry out their international trades to the sea-ports of Bangladesh. He sees the connectivity projects as activities that will bridge the gap between the people of Bangladesh and North East India from an economic and trade prospective.
Monsur informed that for the last two years, Shillong and Guwahati have become a connecting hub of South Asia and East Asia nations.
He added that Bangladesh will put efforts to enhance general business tourism, academic tourism, medical tourism, religious tourism, archeological tourism.
“I am issuing 150 visas everyday and I am sure from next month, the number of visas to be issued will be 400 and because of lack of air connectivity many people do not travel from Bangladesh to North East India,” Monsur said.
He added, “After the flight is launched I am sure the number of visas will be increased by three times.”
He assured to finance for opening a website and publish a business directory.
On the other hand, Monsur lauded the Home Minister for making efforts to see that Meghalaya becomes an abode of peace pointing out that no skirmishes or conflicts take place and termed the state as “very disciplined.”
Speaking about Meghalaya and its natural beauty, he said, “I am very envious of the people of Meghalaya. You are very lucky be the sons of the soil of Meghalaya.”
Meanwhile, Home Minister James Sangma while speaking about responsible tourism expressed concern over the pile of garbage seen at many tourist spots in the state.
“Throwing garbage is unacceptable to us as it leaves behind huge ecological impact on our region,” he said.