West Bengal awaiting Centre nod for starting cruise to Bangladesh

KOLKATA: River cruise services to Bangladesh will start from Kolkata as soon as the central government gives permission, a state government official said today.

"Many have shown interest in starting river cruise service from Kolkata to Dhaka. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had told this to union shipping minister in a meeting where it was learnt that they are already considering it and the matter is now with the external affairs ministry," state transport secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay told reporters.

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