ITANAGAR, Oct 23 - Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa has sought the intervention of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to improve road sector in the strategically located frontier State.
The Governor, who called on the Union Minister in New Delhi recently, said, �For socio-economic development of the State as well as success of the Act East Policy, it will be necessary to improve the road connectivity of Arunachal Pradesh with rest of India and within the State by connecting all the district headquarters, other administrative headquarters, important towns, clusters and villages, through building up and upgrading existing National Highways and State roads.�
�Arunachal Pradesh has been suffering for decades due to absolutely poor road connectivity,� he pointed out, adding that the roads from Assam border to the twin cities of Itanagar and Naharlagun, which are in terrible shape, need to be maintained and upgraded.
The Governor further said there is a need for a Frontier Highway connecting all the important centres along the international border. He also suggested construction of East-West Industrial Corridor from Bhairabkund in West Kameng district to Ruksin in East Siang.
Taking up the Indo-Bhutan Lumla-Tashigaong road with the Union Minister, the Governor said that the road project should be taken up urgently for strengthening the border trade between the two countries. Apart from giving an alternate road for the people of Tawang to reach Guwahati and other parts of the country, this road will facilitate trade, tourism and other economic activities between the two countries, Rajkhowa told Gadkari.
The Governor also called for upgrading the 160 km of the historic Stilwell Road on Myanmar side as part of �Good- will Mission� under Act East Policy. The Union Minister assured to look into the issues positively.
Later, the Governor called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed him on security issues of the State, including impact of recent Supreme Court verdict on Chakma-Hajong issue.
