Tawang denizens demand opening of Indo-Bhutan border trade route

Tawang,Arunachal, Nov 10 (UNI) Public leaders and people of Tawang district, bordering China, have urged the Centre for early opening up of border trade with neighbouring Bhutan, which, they feel, will help improve economy of both nations.

In a memorandum submitted to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was on a day-long visit to attend the 8th Buddha Mahotsava here yesterday, people of this border district have urged him to impress upon the Centre the need for early opening of border trade route, along with suitable road connectivity.

Pointing out that the road communication to Tawang through Assam via Sela Pass frequently gets disrupted due to heavy snowfall in winter and landslides in summer and frequent bandh calls in Assam, the memorandum suggested developing a road through Bhutan to Tawang, which will not only shorten distance from Guwahati to Tawang but also help both the countries in establishing business.

''Establishment of road connectivity via Bhutan is one of the long felt demands of the people of this area which will not only help to develop bilateral trade and commerce, tourism and cultural exchange but also facilitate an alternate road,'' the memorandum said.

It further requested the Centre for early sanction of Advance Landing Ground (ALG) besides construction of tunnels at Sela, Bomdila and Neciphu to shorten distance between Bhalukpong and Tawang.

The other demands of the memorandum includes construction of ropeways between Baisakhi and Jaswant Garh via Sela Pass, road connectivity to Luguthang village bordering China, upgradation of infrastructure of all schools in Tawang district, immediate construction of NHPC college, corpus fund for Bodhi language and improvement of road from Tezpur to Tawang.

UNI UPB PL AK AS1529