NE states to reopen road link to ASEAN nations

Aizawl, Aug 30: Soon after resumption of border trade between India and China through Nathu La pass, northeastern states have proposed reopening of another strategic route built during World War II to boost business among Southeast Asian countries.

According to the proposal initiated by Mizoram, Tripura and Assam Chief Ministers, the 1,726-km long Stilwell road starting from Asom and connecting the region with Myanmar, Thailand and China has immense possibility of expanding border trade among the countries.

Official sources here confirmed that an informal discussion among the heads of NE states have already been held and Asom, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh and it was being pursued with the Centre.

Stilwell road was constructed by the Allied and Chinese forces in 1945. It starts at Ledo in Asom and cuts through the Pangsau pass in Myanmar to Kunming in South China. It touches almost all the important Southeast Asian capitals.

A large stretch of Stilwell Road in Myanmar is still undeveloped and NE states have taken up the matter with New Delhi. They have urged the Centre to take up the matter with Myanmar and Thailand to reopen the stretch, sources said.

NE chief ministers are of the opinon that once the Stilwell stretch is opened and free trade allowed, it would transform the Northeastern region by becoming the gateway to Southeast Asian business centres.

At present, border trade between India and Myanmar takes place on a daily basis at Moreh in Manipur as well as Zakhawthar in Mizoram.

India has decided to build a port at Settwe on the Myanmar coast to give connectivity to Mizoram and Tripura. India has planned to invest 103 million dollars to develop the port, which would be an alternative route to the north eastern region to establish direct link to Myanmar and Visakhapatnam through the Kaladan river.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh authority has agreed in principle for double entry of cargo and passengers from the Northeast region to Kolkata via Bangladesh with India government. Talks were also in progress for the Guwahati-Dhaka bus and rail connectivity.

UNI