DHAKA: India’s West Bengal government is awaiting approval from the Ministry of External Affairs to introduce Dhaka-Kolkata river route by this year.

State Transport Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay disclosed the matter to reporters.

While talking to reporters on Wednesday, Alapan said that Chief Minister Mamata Bandopadhyay, in a recent meeting with central shipping minster, expressed her interest in this regard.  

India’s Shipping Ministry had already given approval to the matter and the issue is now with the ministry of external affairs, he added.

Earlier, during a visit to Sundarbans with government official, the West Bengal Chief Minister expressed her interest to develop waterway communication with Bangladesh aimed at boosting the trade and economy, the State Transport Secretary said.

On the day, Mamata asked the officials concerned to contact with concerned officials of Bangladesh Government on the matter.

He said travel operators are ready with all the plans and would start services in the Kolkata-Dhaka route as soon as they get approval.

BDST: 1411 HRS, JAN 01, 2015