Govt pushes Rs.7,500-cr in NE roads

In a bid to improve road network in north-eastern states including Meghalaya, Manipur, and Mizoram and also providing direct connectivity with Bangladesh and Myanmar, government has decided to approve Rs. 7,500-cr executing the targeted road projects, said official sources, claiming that four national highway upgradation projects — Aizawl-Tuipang in Mizoram (Rs. 6,000cr); Tura-Dalu (Rs. 360cr) and Dalu-Dudani (Rs. 1,100cr) in Meghalaya; and Imphal-Moreh in Manipur. The 108-km Imphal-Moreh highway is currently the lifeline of the $56-million (FY15) India-Myanmar land trade through Moreh-Tamu border. After their completion, the trade volume should increase, as and when India completes the 1,360-km Trilateral Highway from Tamu to Thailand. Plans are underway to open a second route through Zokhawthar-Rih (Myanmar) border near Champhai on the eastern periphery of Mizoram, which will connect the Trilateral Highway 120 km away at Kalemyo. The 300 km road from State capital Aizawl to Tuipang in Saiha district at the southern tip of Mizoram, is a reaffirmation of India's commitment to Kaladan multi-modal project in Myanmar. A parallel project for extending the highway by 90 km to Zorinpui on Myanmar border is nearing completion. It will open up in Rakhine State and a 1090 km road is slated to connect Paletwa inland river terminal on Kaladan river in Myanmar. This is connected to Sittwe port at the Kaladan river mouth nearly 200 km south. India has already constructed the port and handed it over to the Myanmarese authority.