Flights connecting Guwahati with Dhaka, which were suspended within three months of its launch, are still operational for Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary.
“We have also started the flight service between Guwahati and Dhaka,” Patowary said in Guwahati on Tuesday.
He was delivering the welcome note at the India-Bangladesh Stakeholders’ Meet.
The Guwahati Dhaka flight service was launched in July this year but was suspended in September due to not getting the required number of passengers.
SpiceJet first reduced the frequency of the flight from daily to twice a week but finally suspended it in September.
Patowary also called upon the authorities concerned for early restoration of railway links between Karimganj (Mahisashan) and Sylhet (Bangladesh).
“India and Bangladesh have recently concluded the SOP to accord access to vessels from North East India to Chittagong and Mongla,” he said.
“We are glad that dredging is being undertaken in Assam,” he added.
“I call upon the Bangladesh authorities to also dredge the portion of Jamuna to ensure easy transportation of sea vessels,” Patowary said.
“We must also make efforts for easy transportation through the waterways of Chittagong and Mongla Ports,” he added.
“I also request the union shipping ministry to convert Sadiya, Dibrugarh, Sylghat, Neamatighat, Pandu, Jagighopa and Karimganj ports into international standards,” he added.
The Assam minister also requested the Centre to expedite the Multi-Modal Logistics Hub at Jagighopa.
He said that the tariff issues should be sorted out and the non-tariff barriers should be solved.
“It is also important that our Land Custom Stations with Bangladesh at Sutarkandi, Golakganj, Mankachar and Dhubri, as well as the ones in Tripura, are developed,” he said.
“Right now we have issues like infrastructure, shortage of manpower, non-tariff barriers, restriction of movement of people and vehicles,” the minister said.
“We assure you all support and request our counterpart to resolve all issues,” Patowary added.