12th Plan will focus on connectivity in Northeast: Montek

The focus of the meet was on putting the Northeast at the centre of the country’s Look East Policy — one that does not seem to have brought any significant benefit to the region despite it being closer to Southeast Asian countries.

Ahluwalia particularly referred to establishing rail link to Chittagong port in Bangladesh,and upgrading Guwahati airport in order to help Northeast draw benefit through linkages with the neighbouring countries.

“It is important to improve connectivity of the northeastern states with India’s immediate neighbours,and this issue will definitely find importance in the approach paper to the 12th Plan,” Ahluwalia said.

He said chief ministers of the Northeastern states made a very strong case for integrating the region with the neighbouring countries. “We are going to take up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs on how to proactively engage our neighbours and remove the existing barriers,” he added.

Re-open Stilwell Road,says Gogoi

Assam CM Tarun Gogoi on Monday reiterated his demand for reopening of the historic Stilwell Road in order to boost trade with Myanmar and China. He said concerns about security should not be a hindrance to it.

A group of industry captains also asked for reopening the road that links Assam with Kunming in China through northern Myanmar.

Two days ago Union Minister for Development of Northeastern Region B K Handique had also batted for it,at the same time saying Myanmar was opposed to the idea.