ACCi urges PM to approve East West Highway

Itanagar, May 15 (UNI) The Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has urged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to approve the East West Highway proposed by the state government for easy intra-state movement in this land-locked Himalayan state.

In a memorandum, ACCI president Techi Lala, general secretary Tarak Nachung Tariang and chief advisor B K Ghosh Dostidar, drew his attention towards the untold sufferings of the people of Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Anjaw, Lohit, Tirap and Changlang districts of the state following blockade of National Highway 37, 38 and 52 since May seven last, which had resulted in food crisis.

The situation has deteriorated in Upper Asom resulting in imposition of curfew in three police stations areas of Doomdooma, Dholla and Kakopathar following death of seven persons in clashes between the ULFA supporters and the agitators. The curfew has been expanded to more areas including Digboi refinery.

''Agitation, strike and road blockades are regular features in one part of Asom or the other throwing life in Arunachal out of gear for the people, goods and service move regularly to most parts of the state via Asom'', the memorandum pointed out and requested the PM to approve the much-needed highway to provide easy intra-state connectivity.

Suggesting for upgradation of the 940-km Balipara-Pasighat and 322-km Mahadevpur-Bimalpur roads to reduce dependency on Asom, the ACCI also suggested for executing the NH 52 through the Border Roads Organisation on a time-bound basis to facilitate uninterrupted inter-district movement.

Copies of the memorandum were also forwarded to Union Surface Transport Minister T R Balu, state's MP Nabam Rebia, Kiren Rijiju and Tapir Gao, besides stat governor, chief minister and PWD minister. UNI