Dhaka-New York flight will start by march

The government hopes that operation of Dhaka-New York flight will resume by next March following addition of some leased Boeing 777 aircraft in the meantime. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Quader said this in parliament yesterday in reply to a supplementary question from Awami League lawmaker Manjur Quader Qureshi (Netrakna-3). Replying to another part of the question, the minister said the government is taking steps to construct an international airport adjacent to the capital city. "A preliminary committee formed earlier for pre-feasibility study will submit its report within this month and then the government will take next steps." Replying to another question the minister said the process of constructing Khan Jahan Ali airport is going on as acquisition of land for this has been done. BSS adds: Quader also said the government has taken various measurers including setting up exclusive tourist zones and appointment of tourist police to attract more tourists in the country. "The cabinet in principle approved the draft of Bangladesh Tourism Protected Area and Special Tourist Zone Act, 2009 ," he said. Through the act, a legal framework for raising a planned and coordinated tourist facilities is being prepared under public and private initiatives, he said. "A mega plan has also been taken for the development of different tourist spots across the country including Cox's Bazar and Kuakata sea beaches to attract increased number of tourists," he added. The government has a plan to celebrate a month in 2010 as a "Tourism Month" while " Tourism Year" would be observed in 2011 at the time of World Cup Cricket.