The Union Government will be pumping in another Rs. 9,533 crore for national Highway projects in Arunachal Pradesh for which Union Minister Minister of Road Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari has laid foundations stones the other day. This is apart from the ongoing Trans-Arunachal Highway project. According to the minister, the development of vital all weather roads will not only accelerate the growth of the state but will also facilitate enhanced trade with neighbouring countries. Arunachal has international borders with four countries and it will be a key player for the Act East Policy of the Government of India. While the state has all the ingredients needed to become prosperous, it could not achieve the expected level of economic growth mainly due to inadequate road, rail and air connectivity, that way the new projects, once completed, will address these inadequacies insofar as the road connectivity is concerned. Lauding the Union Minister, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “These infrastructure projects will transform the picture of the state as it will boost connectivity, bridge the gap with the far-flung areas and allow development to make inroads.”

One of the major impediments the road projects will be facing is the rain god. The state has almost eight months of rainy season leading to landslides, cave-ins, etc. Thus it is imperative that adequate attention is paid while constructing the highways by cushioning the hill sides to prevent landslides. Another issue is land compensation. The TAH project has seen original beneficiaries being deprived while those who are not having any land getting crores of rupees as compensation. A lion’s share of infrastructure project funds goes for land acquisition which also creates overnight millionaires. It is welcome to note that the chief minister has taken note of the earlier scams and warned the officialdom that scamsters will be dealt with seriously.

But one important aspect to note is that nobody is talking about the abandoned Stilwell Road connecting Myanmar and China. While the Union Government is actively engaged in the Look East policy, the reopening of this road will be a major boost for trade with Myanmar and China. It is time serious thought is given to this road constructed during the Second World War.

The Union Government will be pumping in another Rs. 9,533 crore for national Highway projects in Arunachal Pradesh for which Union Minister Minister of Road Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari has laid foundations stones the other day. This is apart from the ongoing Trans-Arunachal Highway project. According to the minister, the development of vital all weather roads will not only accelerate the growth of the state but will also facilitate enhanced trade with neighbouring countries. Arunachal has international borders with four countries and it will be a key player for the Act East Policy of the Government of India. While the state has all the ingredients needed to become prosperous, it could not achieve the expected level of economic growth mainly due to inadequate road, rail and air connectivity, that way the new projects, once completed, will address these inadequacies insofar as the road connectivity is concerned. Lauding the Union Minister, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “These infrastructure projects will transform the picture of the state as it will boost connectivity, bridge the gap with the far-flung areas and allow development to make inroads.”

One of the major impediments the road projects will be facing is the rain god. The state has almost eight months of rainy season leading to landslides, cave-ins, etc. Thus it is imperative that adequate attention is paid while constructing the highways by cushioning the hill sides to prevent landslides. Another issue is land compensation. The TAH project has seen original beneficiaries being deprived while those who are not having any land getting crores of rupees as compensation. A lion’s share of infrastructure project funds goes for land acquisition which also creates overnight millionaires. It is welcome to note that the chief minister has taken note of the earlier scams and warned the officialdom that scamsters will be dealt with seriously.

But one important aspect to note is that nobody is talking about the abandoned Stilwell Road connecting Myanmar and China. While the Union Government is actively engaged in the Look East policy, the reopening of this road will be a major boost for trade with Myanmar and China. It is time serious thought is given to this road constructed during the Second World War.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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