Planned: North East Industrial Corridor

In way to improve connectivity in border areas, the Government has announced projects such as a tunnel at Sela Pass to Tawang, operationalisation of Pasighat Airport, nod to set up Hollongi Airport near Itanagar and three strategic Railway lines in the North East Region.

These projects reaffirmed the Government’s plan to set up North East Industrial Corridor that will create numerous job opportunities for the people of the region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said during his address at the 11th Maitree Diwas Celebrations in Tawang on 14 Nov 2019.

The Arunachal Corridor will act as a land bridge between India and South East Asia that will provide employment opportunities and give fillip to trade and tourism, he said.

Singh underlined the special emphasis of the Government on the development of the North East region under the Act East Policy, adding that “Road to ‘New India’ runs through ‘New North-East India’.”

He also lauded the Five-Year Road Plan of Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu under which all the existing inter-state and inter-district roads will be upgraded to State highway specifications by 2024.

Speaking on Maitree Diwas, which is showcasing the local culture as well as modern military demonstrations, including Helicopter fly-past and weapon display, Singh said the festival symbolises the patriotism of the people of the region and their close relationship with the Armed Forces.

Singh said his Ministry is also planning to set up an Army Liaison Cell in Itanagar to facilitate cooperation with the Army for Operational purposes in Arunachal Pradesh.

“It will be a single window entity for all issues,” he said.

The two-day socio-military cultural extravaganza is jointly organised by the Indian Army, Tawang Civil Administration and volunteers at the High-Altitude Stadium, which stands as a testimony to the spirit of solidarity and patriotic fervour that runs deep amongst the locals of Tawang district. fiinews.com