Legislative Assembly Speakers of all the eight Northeastern states has underlined the need for an alternate road connecting the North East region with the rest of the country.
The presiding officers took this decision on the concluding day of the 20th annual conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-III here in Meghalaya on Sunday.
The region is connected to the mainland of India by a narrow 22 km stretch of land at Siliguri, West Bengal, commonly known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’.
“We have reached a consensus on certain suggestions, including the need for an alternate road connecting the North East region to mainland India, apart from the Siliguri Corridor also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’,” Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker and Chairman, CPA India Region Zone III, Shri Pasang D. Sona said.
He informed that good ideas and suggestions have emerged during the two- day discourse on the topics that are crucial for the development of the Northeastern region.
“There is a need for proper study of the region in regards to natural disasters so a permanent solution to the matter can be derived,” Sona said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Speaker said that these suggestions will be documented and shared with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Affairs Headquarters in London, the CPA India Region Headquarters and Ministries concerned so they can incorporate these suggestions in their policies.
Addressing the valedictory function of the 20th Annual CPA conference, India Region, Zone-II, Meghalaya Governor, Phagu Chauhan said that the agendas of the two days conference viz; Natural Disaster and Strategies for Management with special reference to the North East and Regional Connectivity to bring Northeast region at par with mainland India, is highly pertinent to the region.
“The North-East region is prone to floods, landslides, earthquakes, which have a severe impact on the lives and property of the people, which are setbacks to the developmental process of the region. Poor connectivity in terms of road networks, railways, airports, mobile networks coverage etc., are stumbling blocks that hinders the growth and progress of the north eastern states,” he added.
Chauhan hoped that the deliberation of the two days annual conference will generate new ideas and perspectives resulting in important policy formulation that is vital for achieving holistic development of the region and propel it to new heights.