To give further shape to the ambitious Rs 536-crore Kaladan Multi-Modal Project, which would connect the North-Eastern state of Mizoram to Sittwé port in Myanmar, thus giving the land-locked region access to sea, the centre has approved construction of a vital 100-Km highway in Mizoram.

A committee of the centre, set up for projects in North-East, headed by Brahm Dutt, secretary of road transport and Highways , sanctioned the construction of the new highway, government sources informed.

Click here for Cloud Computing

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Revenue, transport secys in race for PFRDA top job - Rs 2 lakh cr road projects to be awarded - Expansion of Essar's Vadinar refinery on schedule - Mittal's Bhatinda refinery proj to start ops by June '11 - Refiners seek extension in deadline for supply of cleaner fuel - IVRCL to develop terminal at IOC's Paradip refinery

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Weekly: Uptrend continues, broader markets outperform - Profit-booking may drag markets this week: analysts - SC pulls up Sebi for leaking Sahara's proposal to media - Now, Sebi catches social networking fever - Foreign investors press 'sell' button on Indian banks More

The union ministry for shipping, road transport and highways had earlier sanctioned Rs 120 crore for development of national highways during 2008-09 in Mizoram. The Kaladan project will upgrade the Sittwé port in Myanmar and develop 225 kms of waterways on the Myanmarese river Kaladan so as to make it navigable up to the port. The project will include construction of two roadways in Myanmar which would connect river Kaladan to the Indian border.

The proposed highway on the Indian side will act as a road link from the Indian border to Lawngtalai, the headquarter of the southern district Lawngtalai, in Mizoram. Lawngtalai is connected to other parts of the state and capital city Aizwal via national highway 54. The Kaladan project will be implemented by the Rail India Technical Economic Services (RITES), a public sector organisation.

 "At least Rs 500 crore immediate trade should take place with the opening of this route, though a quantum jump is expected to take place later," feels RS Joshi, President of Federation of Industry and Commerce of North-Eastern  Region (FINER), the premier trade and industry association of North-East.

The industry of North-East feels that due to its geographical proximity to the project, Mizoram has the potential and prospects of becoming the gateway for trade activities with South-East Asia in future.

New Ipad Application :Business Standard's all new IPad App Click here to download for free Other Stories      - Weekly: Uptrend continues, broader markets outperform - Profit-booking may drag markets this week: analysts - SC pulls up Sebi for leaking Sahara's proposal to media - Now, Sebi catches social networking fever - Foreign investors press 'sell' button on Indian banks

Tags : Kaladan Multi-Modal Project | Brahm Dutt | RITES | FINER   Read Business news in  Advertisements -  Now property search gets more exciting than ever before! -  Office 365 for professionals and small businesses. -  Are You Serious About Your Future? Click here to know more -  Financial Learning now made easier and more convenient. -  Earn fuel worth Rs.2400 with Citi -  India's No. 1 Property Site. Click here to know more.. -  Get 5% cashback on telephone bills with Citi -  Exim Bank Conclave on India - Africa Project Partnership. Know more.. -  Be part of it The World's Largest Aircraft. -  Creating Wealth made simple the SIP way. Know more.. -  Only Developer to give a guarantee on time space & rate. -  Buy Your Property with Our Triple Guarantee in India. -  Improve Patient Care & Experience. Click here to know more -  Win a Business Class Ticket to Europe..Know more.. -   Introduce a New Automotive Luxury Car.. know more -  Health is Wealth..... Insurance + Savings... Know More...