Train to Hanoi from North East by 2030: Mukherjee

Shillong, Jun 17 (UNI) It may sound a bit far-fetched at the moment but, according to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukharjee, by 2030, one can board a train for Hanoi in Vietman from Guwahati in Asom.

''Efforts are on to have a rail link from Jiribham in Asom to Hanoi,'' Mr Mukherjee said during his speech in a seminar on the Look East Policy organised by the Ministry of External Affairs here yesterday.

Indian Railways have set-up tracks up to Jiribiam touching Manipur boundary.

On the other side lies Mandalay of Myanmar, which is well connected with railway lines of South East Asia. In between, lies about 370 kms of thick jungles. But the engineers insist that it would be possible with the advent of better technology.

''We are also working on enhancing digital connectivity with this region, specially through an optical fibre cable link between Moreh in Manipur and Mandalay in Myanmar,'' Mr Mukherjee said, adding that he was keen to tap the potentials of the geographical advantages of NE.

''We are involved in a variety of cross-border development projects with Myanmar in diverse fields such as roads, railways, telecommunications, IT, science and technology. These initiatives are aimed at improving connectivity between Northeast India and Western Myanmar and are expected to give an impetus to the local economies as well as bilateral trade,'' he said.

There was good road connectivity between Moreh and Mandalay. Some passengers do tarvel though Mynamar was not very keen on allowing foreigners to enter through the land checkpost of Moreh.

'' Kaladan Multi Modal Transit transport facility, which envisages connectivity between Indian ports on the eastern sea board and Sittwe port in Maynmar, is the most important one followed by riverine transport and road to Mizoram, thereby providing an alternate route for transport to this part of India, '' the Minister said.

''In fact the Centre had decided to fund it completely. The upgradation of the 160 km Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo road in Myanmar across Manipur has already been completed. Discussion are also on to start work on the Trilateral Highway project, connecting Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand via Bagan in Myanmar.'' Mr Mukharjee futher said they would improve infrastructure, particularly road links at the second India-Myanmar borer trade points at Rhi-Zowkhatar in Mizoram sector by upgradaing the Rhi-Tidim and Trhi-Falam road segments in Myanmar.

UNI