Even as Myanmar is reportedly considering reopening the Stilwell road connecting it to Assam, Union Minister for Department of North Eastern Region (DoNER) B K Handique has said that the additional waterway connecting Mizoram’s Kaladin river with Myanmar’s Sitwe port will start functioning soon.

Talking to reporters after chairing the first meeting of the DoNER with Chief Ministers of the seven northeastern states on Wednesday, Handique said work on the waterway was started by the previous UPA Government and he was hopeful that it would open soon. The Minister said he would find out the progress of the work.

However, the opening of the Stilwell road was now in the Myanmar Government’s domain, Handique said, adding that they were “considering our request to reopen the route sympathetically”. The minister said that since a decision on the land route was pending, Myanmar had granted access to the Sitwe port through the river for trade.

Moreover, trade with Myanmar has been on through the entry point at Moreh in Manipur.

Handique also discussed enhancement of the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) and speedy implementation of projects in the region with the CMs.