Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner speaks to Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Malay Mishra, second from right, and Second Secretary, Mahavir Bhardwaj. At left is Cheryl Blackman, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and TransportWorks and Transport Minister Jack Warner has announced that Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) and Air India will soon be entering into a bilateral air service agreement to improve air travel between Trinidad and Tobago and India.
Warner made the statement after meeting Tuesday with the Indian High commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Malay Mishra and Second Secretary, Mahavir Bhardwaj.
Warner recommended a bilateral air service agreement with India and Trinidad and Tobago and Mishra promised to have such a deal finalised.
The Indian diplomat once the agreement is reached, persons who are travelling to India would fly to New York on Caribbean Airlines (CAL) where they will connect with Air India for a direct flight to either Mumbai or New Delhi. Baggage would go directly to the final destination.
Mishra also offered technical and cultural support to Trinidad and Tobago during his hour-long meeting with the minister.
"I think we could strengthen your industrial base in agriculture, health care and food production, not forgetting infrastructure," Mishra said.
Warner was particularly interested in one project that deals exclusively with rural development in India.
"I have a bias for the rural areas...These areas have been neglected for far too long. I speak about areas like Siparia, Naparima, Barrackpore, Mamoral, Flanagin Town, and Mundo Nuevo, to name a few," Warner said.
He added, "Over the years, nothing was done in these areas for roads, bridges and drains. I am hoping that you can share your knowledge and expertise, and even assist us with our flooding problem.”
The Indian envoy said his Government is willing to assist the engineers of the Ministry of Works and Transport.
He also spoke of scholarships to train engineers and told Warner there can be a transfer of training and technology at the highest level. Mishra also told Warner that the Indian government has given scholarships to Trinidad and Tobago nationals in the areas of dance, art, and other forms of culture.
He also spoke of the need to establish a Hindi Lab at the National Committee of Indian Culture (NCIC) at the Divali Nagar site for continuing to teach Hindi to anyone who wants to learn the Indian national language.
Warner told the diplomat one of the problems that Trinidad and Tobago faces with flooding is that there is a culture of lawlessness where people don't clean their drains.
He said he would soon take legislation to Parliament to put that responsibility on citizens, who would have a legal obligation to clean drains and roadways in front of their homes and business places.
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