Arunachal Governor asks NEC to develop connectivity

Emphasising on better connectivity, Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa asked North Eastern Council (NEC) to take up development of 'Orphan Roads' as it will benefit the state and its neighbours.
He said this during a meeting with NEC Secretary Ram Muivah, who called on him at Raj Bhawan yesterday.
Informing that there is road connectivity problem in the state and region and there is not a single institute for road research and design, Rajkhowa suggested an institute be set up in Arunachal Pradesh, as the state with its variant topography and climatic condition, is most suitable for it.
He also asked Muivah to develop Advance Landing Grounds at Ziro, Pasighat and Aalo in the lines of Lilabari, Tezpur and Umroi airports, where there are regular air services and is funded by NEC, a Raj Bhawan release said today.

The Governor suggested setting up 'Centres for Excellence' for architecture, skill development, tourism etc which will be beneficial for students of all sates in the region, it stated.
Emphasising on regular visits and monitoring of the NEC funded North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Projects (NERCORMP) in the state, he said, "With regular monitoring, social auditing and proper selection of schemes, it will bring good results."

Highlighting the abundant kiwi, orange and other horticultural produces, Rajkhowa requested the NEC Secretary to assist the entrepreneurs of the state in setting up food processing units and wineries.
He called for enhancing the annual budget of the Council so that larger projects can be taken up and suggested that NEC should entertain schemes or projects of less than Rs 20 lakh, when approached directly by people who need it.

Calling for NEC's special attention towards philanthropic institutes like Oju Welfare Association and Donyi Polo Mission, the Governor suggested the Council to visit these institutes which are doing "wonderful work" for the poor and the society and they need to be supported.
Muivah briefed Rajkhowa on the ensuing Plenary Meeting of NEC at Shillong on May 27 and the challenges faced by the Council, the release added.