Boris Johnson suggests cycle tracks in Kolkata

Kolkata, Jan 19 (IANS) British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson on Thursday held discussions in a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The discussions were held on several areas of collaboration between his country and West Bengal during the 40-minute meeting.

Johnson suggested that cycle tracks should be introduced on main roads to improve traffic and battle environmental pollution.

"If you want to improve traffic and air pollution (situation), you have to invest in low carbon transport. We had a massive reduction in number of people getting killed and injured with proper measures in place," the foreign dignitary said later.

Johnson, on a day's trip to the eastern metropolis, called on Banerjee at the state secretariat Nabanna in neighbouring Howrah district. The foreign secretary was accompanied by several other senior British officials.

Banerjee described the discussions as "excellent".

"We had an excellent round of discussions on many areas of collaboration between Britain and Bengal," she said.

Banerjee said the long term ties between the eastern state and Britain, and collaboration in sectors like industry and education figured during the deliberations.

Johnson, also a former Mayor of London, was on a visit to the city to take forward the British partnership with West Bengal and hold discussions with a cross section of Bengal society on prospects for furthering Bengal-Britain business and people-to-people partnerships.