Arunachal suffered in absence of robust road connectivity: Khandu

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

Arunachal Pradesh has suffered historically primarily in the absence of robust road connectivity with road density of 25 km per 100 square km area as against an all India average of 142 km per 100 sq km area, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Wednesday.

However, he said that his government has prepared a roadmap for connectivity strategy by 2022 which would ensure reliable connectivity to all administrative and commercial centres.

Inaugurating the 5th North East Connectivity Summit at Tawang district bordering China organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Khandu praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi government for the strong support to Arunachal in the last four years that has brought about a visible transformation.

The two-day summit is being attended by representatives and delegations from neighbouring Countries such as Bhutan and Bangladesh, besides Indian officials and representatives from the corporate and industry.

The theme for this year is 'Tourism Connectivity'.

The summit is one of the most important forums for action-oriented deliberations on sub regional economic integration and connectivity between Northeast India and South East Asia.

"Railways has also found a footprint in our state and is going to give huge fillip to the movement of passengers and cargo as well as tourists to the State," Khandu said.

On air connectivity, the Chief Minister said under the UDAN Scheme, Pasighat is now an integral part of the Indian aviation map apart from six helicopter services to Aalo, Itanagar, Tuting, Walong, Yingkiong, and Ziro.

Advanced Landing Ground at Tezu and Ziro shall also become operational soon for fixed wing aircrafts.

"There is a huge scope for development of Inland Waterways Transport and we are exploring possibility of developing floating terminals on the major rivers like Dibang, Lohit and Siang in collaboration with Inland Waterways Authority of India," he said.

--IANS

rrk/pgh/sed