Kolkata, July 30 - Having swum the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar, physically challenged swimmer Masadur Rahman Baidya will set out to cross the Palk Strait in July next year.

The 41-year-old swimmer, who lost both his legs from the knee-down in a train mishap in his young days, will swim the 35 km long strait separating India and Sri Lanka after making the start from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka.

Masadur, the first male double amputee below the knee to cross the English Channel, will touch the shore at Dhanushkodi of Tamil Nadu, the swimmer announced Thursday at a function.

'Talks are now on with the defence and home ministries of both the countries,' Masadur said at a programme where he was felicitated on the 12th anniversary of his English Channel triumph.