EAM Jaishankar visits India funded East Bank-East Coast highway project site in Guyana

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was on Saturday given a guided tour of India funded ongoing four-lane highway project from Ogle in the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to Eccles in the East Bank Demerara (EBD), part of the East Bank-East Coast corridor in Georgetown in Guyana, News Room said on Sunday.

According to the Guyana-based news outlet, Indian EAM Jaishankar was given a guided tour of the US$106.4 million project by its executioner, Aditya Prakash, a Director of Ashoka Buildcon, an Indian company.

Speaking about his visit to the site where East Bank-East Coast highway is being built, EAM Jaishankar tweeted: “Delivered by India’ is a growing global infra realty. Paid a site visit to the East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project along with Minister of Public Works Deodat Indar. Interacted with workers and senior staff. Impressed by their enthusiasm.”

When completed in 2024, the new 7.7 km highway will accommodate four-lane traffic and will provide a direct link between the East Coast and East Bank Demerara corridor, thereby reducing traffic congestion in and around Georgetown, News Room added.

Earlier, giving a boost to easier travel between India and Guyana, the two countries signed an Air Services Agreement, the news outlet said.

The agreement was signed in the presence of EAM Jaishankar and his Guyanese counterpart Hugh Todd.

Presently, there is no direct flight between Guyana and India, however, this agreement puts in place the legal framework that opens market access for airlines of both countries to operate and enhance competitive air transport services, trade, and economic growth between the two countries, the news outlet said.

News Room said the agreement promotes international air services between the two countries and an international aviation system based on competition among airlines.

As per the prominent Guyanese news outlet, the agreement addresses pertinent matters such as Grant of Rights; Designation and Authorization of Airlines; Revocation or Suspension of Operating Authorization, Principles governing operation of Agreed Services, Application of Laws, User Charges, Customs Duties and Charges, Aviation Safety, Aviation Security, Commercial Opportunities, Cooperative Marketing Arrangements, among other areas.

The agreement opens investment opportunities and caters to Guyanese owned airlines to have direct market access to international airports in India and vice versa, News Room said.

India and Guyana have enjoyed good diplomatic relations since the Latin American country gained independence in May 1966.