DoNER to give fresh look on Border Area Development Programme

Shillong, Feb 9 (UNI) The Union Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DonER) will give a fresh impetus to the Border Area Development Programme to boost the economy in the region.

This decision was taken during the two-day sectoral summit on Roads at North Eastern Council (NEC) secretariat, which concluded here today.

''There is an urgent need of opening all international trade centres at the different points along the external frontiers of the North Eastern states,'' NEC Secretary H.V. Lalringa told reporters after reviewing road programmes in the region.

Since the North East shares 98 per cent of its borders with other countries, Mr Lalringa said, the region needs to improve its economic connectivity to South East Asian Countries, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan to boost the regional economy.

''We will work out this matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs for opening up of these centres,'' the NEC Secretary said.

Mr Lalringa said that the ''Shillong statement'' adopted at the meeting accorded top priority for development of roads as intended in the 11th Five Year Plan to boost the economy of the region.

The government has proposed to invest Rs 50 crore for development of roads under the 11th Five Year Plan, the NEC Secretary adding that substantial increase has been envisaged in road construction during the Plan period.

''We have asked all the North Eastern states and other agencies to pull together and formulate a single master plan to improve road connectivity,'' Mr Lalringa asserted.

Mr Laringa added that the proposed master plan would also address the key issues of forest clearance, land acquisition, processing of Detailed Projects Reports on road development besides the Build Operate and Transfer Mode system in the region.

On maintenance of roads and bridges, the Secretary said the Department of Road Transport and Highway and Ministry of Rural Development in consultation with the Department for Development of North Eastern Region and North Eastern states would work out the financial implications for maintenance funds under the 11th Five Year Plan.

''We have recommended the other states in the region to emulate the Mizoram model on road fund for asset maintenance,'' he said.

The two-day summit chaired by the Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Mani Shankar Aiyar was attended by Nagaland Governor K Sankaranarayan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob and Chief Minister J D Rymbai, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang besides PWD Ministers of the constituents states of the North East.

UNI