Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 3: Connectivity constraints,which hamper entrepreneurship in Northeast, are being effectively overcome and a fast-track expansion of road and rail network is gradually changing the scenario.
This was stated here by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing an interactive meet of the Members of Parliament from Northeast, organized by Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER).
Members of Parliament from different political parties attended the meet, prominent among whom were Bhubaneswar Kalita, P.D. Rai, Gaurav Gogoi, Sushmita Deb, Ripur Bora, R.P. Sharma, T. Meinya and T. Baiti.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that soon after the present Government took over in 2014, two North-Eastern States, namely Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh were, for the first time, brought on the rail map of India. Similarly, in the next two years or so, all the eight States, except Sikkim will have a broad-gauge rail track. He noted with pride that the rail track to Bangladesh from Agartala to Akhaura will be funded by the Ministry of DoNER on the Indian side.
For the expansion of the road network, Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed, an exclusive Northeast Road Development Scheme has been constituted. For the convenience and cost-effective transport of goods and cargo, he said, the Water-ways means of transport are being developed across Brahmaputra down up to Bay of Bengal. As far as air connectivity, he said, Gangtok Airport will be functional by next year, while the Ministry of DoNER has offered the expenses to increase the length of air-strip at the proposed airport at Shillong.
There is immense potential for entrepreneurship and promotion of Prime Minister’s “Startup India” initiative in Northeast, said Dr Jitendra Singh and invited the leaders from business and trade community to come forward and exploit. Citing example, he said, organic farming and food industry can immediately be set up there without any delay.
Dr Jitendra Singh called upon FINER and other such trade organizations to engage themselves in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to promote health sector and tourism. For the promotion of film shootings in the region, a film and television institute had been sanctioned by the Government of India to be set up in the scenic State of Arunachal Pradesh, he added.
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