ITANAGAR, Jan 21 � Arunachal Pradesh Governor JJ Singh has stressed the need to re-open the historic Stillwell Road and border trade with Myanmar through
Pangasu Pass in Changlang district.
�Most imports from Myanmar and China are currently being channelled through the Kolkata dock, a much longer sea-route than the Stillwell Road,� he said, adding that reopening of this road would reduce transportation costs between China and India by more than 30 per cent.
Singh discussed this when Union Minister of State for DoNER Pawan Singh Ghatowar called on him at Raj Bhawan here last night, official sources said today.
Highlighting the importance of re-opening the historic Second World War road, the Governor said that the border trade agreement between India and Myanmar was signed on January 21, 1994.
Trade has officially been going on at Moreh in Manipur and Nampong in Changlang district, near the Pangsau Pass, of Arunachal Pradesh where a border trade centre (BTC) was inaugurated by the then Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh in November 1997, he said.
The BTC at Nampong was practically lying defunct, Singh told the Minister.
The Governor also underscored the significance of border trade with the country�s south-eastern neighbours.
Teak would be the major item of import from Myanmar, which in turn would help preserve the State�s valuable forest reserves and transform the economy of the insurgency affected Northeastern region by making it a production hub for the Myanmarese and western Chinese markets, he said.
Taking up the cause of air passengers, especially in medical cases, he requested the Minister to ensure that a daily Boeing service from Lilabari to New Delhi via Guwahati is introduced.
He suggested introducing the daily Boeing service till the proposed Green Field airport comes up at Itanagar, sources said.
Singh also expressed concern at the slow progress of the upgradation of Tezu airport, a Central project, to improve air connectivity of this land-locked State. � PTI
