DoNER thrusts on connectivity to push tourism in North East
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The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is working on multi-pronged strategy to strengthen the all modes of connectivity network in the eight states of the region. This is expected to give a major push to the tourism in the region, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for DoNER said at a function organised by HolidayIQ in New Delhi.
Accepting the fact that poor state of the connectivity infrastructure is the major hindrance from the tourism growth in the region, Singh said that the current government is innovative and imaginary to develop the regions as a tourism destination. The region, endowed with diverse tourism products, has the huge potential for tourism sector. “We look forward to develop the unexplored destination of the North East. I urge private players to come forward and suggest us measures to promote tourism there. My ministry is ready to support,” he said adding that intra-regional connectivity is worse than inter regional connectivity. The Centre is putting effort to boost the air connectivity within the Northeast region. “Guwahati could be considered as a hub of aviation in the region. The industry should see if the helicopter or chopper service is possible. We thought about developing a dedicated airline that would operate flights within the region and also connect it with the rest of the country. We suggested introducing helicopter service among NE States, but it appears financially not viable. The issue is still pending with the DoNER and the Civil Aviation Ministry,” he said.
He also acknowledged that road connectivity is the huge problem. “We are conscious of this problem. The roads between two states are in very bad shape. For the first time, we have set up the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd with a corpus fund of Rs 150 crore to develop roads in the region,” he informed.
However, he was happy to share that rail connectivity is being strengthened in the region. “The Railway ministry has been working round the clock to extend the railway network in all areas of the North East. We have connected three states; Tripura, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh with broad gauge. We also connected Mizoram and Manipur where the passenger service will be available from the next month. We are working to connect all state capitals of North East by rail. The DoNER ministry will also be funding the Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) railway project to connect North East with the Bangladesh railway network,” he informed.
He also revealed that the Central government has undertaken 17 waterway projects to improve links between North East India and the adjoining countries. “Over a hundred waterways are being developed across the country and 17 such projects planned for the north-eastern region. Multi-modal connectivity in the region has been undertaken on a priority basis to boost trade and to increase the movement of people,” he added.
Apart from trying to solve the connectivity issue, the Ministry is also taking efforts to promote tourism. “I made a request to the Finance Minister if we could have a Film Studio and he announced Film Institution in Arunachal Pradesh. Foundation stone for the same has already been laid. Arunachal Pradesh also has a huge potential for organic farming, investment in fruit industry and tourism development in view of its scenic beauty,” he added.