Infrastructure must for NE development: Mizoram CM

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today said that without development of infrastructure in the North Eastern states, the Look East Policy - which has recently been changed to Act East Policy - will not work in the region.
The Look East Policy has been there for 15 years but there is no impact of it on the region's economy, he said on the sidelines of an event organised by CII here.
He emphasised on improving connectivity through roads and waterways for a positive economic impact on the region.
With the given economic condition and the quantum of funds needed, the seven states in the region cannot build infrastructure on their own to speed up development and thus central funds are needed, the chief minister said.

He called for greater allocation of funds from the Centre for infrastructure development in the region.
The government of Mizoram is presently constructing a road-link to the international border with Myanmar which is expected to boost trade and commerce in the state.

"Institutional finance is a grave concern in the entire north-east region and development of infrastructure is costly. The Centre needs to step forward and develop the region," he said.
Tourist inflow into the north-east is one of the lowest in the country as there was not enough infrastructure while on the other hand due to lack of tourists, the area is not getting enough funds, he said.

"This results in a vicious cycle from which we need to break through and the Centre needs to act on the Act East policy," he said.
Thanhawla said, only 11 per cent of the total hydel power potential has been leveraged so far in the region and there is a huge investment potential to build hydel projects.
"More than 50,000 MW of power can be generated in the region," he said.