Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070161891300.htm

National

‘There is an old road linking India and Myanmar through Chittagong, why cannot it be restored?’

Special Correspondent

Pranab: India wants to improve connectivity with South Asian countries

Kolkata: India is looking at improving connectivity with South Asian countries and has called on Bangladesh to open its old road and river routes to Myanmar.

There are plans to extend the Maitree Express, which runs between Kolkata and Dhaka, to Agartala.

Inaugurating a conference here of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation-backed South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said: “There is an old road linking India and Myanmar through Chittagong [Bangladesh]; why cannot it be restored? What is stopping us? There is also a river route between Kolkata and Guwahati via Bangladesh. Why cannot that be restored?”

Mr. Mukherjee emphasised the need for more “people-to-people” contacts to take bilateral relations forward.

Delays in customs and immigration clearances faced by Maitree Express travellers would be sorted out soon. “We are also looking at the possibilities of extending the train to Agartala.”

On the maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh, he said another round of talks would shortly be held between officials of the two countries.

By way of relief to Bangladesh, which was hit by ‘Cyclone Sidr’ in November 2007, Mr. Mukherjee said one lakh tonnes out of the promised five lakh tonnes of rice was already sent through the Kolkata and Vizag ports. Efforts were being made to send additional consignments by sea as well as rail. “I have asked the Railways and hope that a rake can be arranged within a few days.”