Tuki bats for east-west industrial corridor, highway

ITANAGAR: Arunachal chief minister Nabam Tuki has called for a ‘serious thinking’ on the part of the Centre with regard to budgetary provisions made exclusively for the northeastern states in the 90:10 proportion, in which Centre will contribute 90% funds in any development project for the region.
An East-West Industrial Corridor Highway from Bhairabkund in the west to Ruksin in the East and a hinterland highway connecting Mago (Tawang) in the west to Vijayanagar (Changlang) in the east have been proposed at the conference of NE chief ministers, organized by the DoNER ministry, in Guwahati on Thursday.Tuki called for considering the proposal on priority.
Tuki thanked the Centre for allocating Rs 53,705 crore to the NE region in this year’s Union budget. He also pointed out that going by the 90:10 proportion, the region will have to contribute Rs 5,370 crore, which would not be possible for the NE states to keep aside as funds.
“The development schemes for the region need to be chalked out from a different perspective because of its distinct social and political scenario. The existing efficiency norms failed completely to work in the region,” Tuki added.
The CM emphasized on exploring and utilizing the hydro potential of the state, which would bring about a visible change in the entire NE region.
Eleven important road projects critical for the expansion of hydropower projects with an estimated cost of Rs 679.00 crore might be considered for sanction, the CM added.
As part of the Look East Policy, the Stillwell Road from Pangsau Pass and the Indo-Bhutan Road via Dongsengmang should be made operational soon.