PM announces major devp plans for NE

New Delhi, Jul 2: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today announced the linking of all North-Eastern state capitals by rail to ensure better connectivity and earmarking of Rs 31,000 crores to improve roads.

Releasing 'Vision Document 2020 for the North-Eastern Region' here, Dr. Singh said, "Infrastructure deficiency is a major concern in the region. We will link all the state capitals in the region by rail network and Rs 31,000 crore will be invested on roads during the Eleventh plan." "The Government is also committed to improve road facilities in the Eleventh Plan," he added.

Describing the North-Eastern region as the land of rising sun for India, Dr. Singh said time has come for the sun to shine brightly on it. Vision document defines the path to that bright future."

For improving air connectivity, he announced that a green-field airport would come up at Itanagar to connect the region with the rest of the country.

"All villages on the Arunachal Pradesh border will soon be electrified at a cost of Rs 550 crore," he said.

"The Vision Document also lays stress on promoting education in the region," he added.

Focussing on the farm sector in the North East, Dr. Singh said, a second 'Green Revolution' specific to the region was needed.

An important component of Vision 2020 is to achieve a high level of human development, particularly education and health. The Vision 2020 document was prepared after three years of consultations taking into consideration the views of 50 thousand people of the northeast and top experts and institutions across the country.

It was finalised at the two-day plenary session of the North-Eastern council in Agartala in May.

ANI