SHILLONG: Addressing the gathering during the inauguration of the Passport Seva Kendra here on Friday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that the Union Government has approved setting up of four more new border haats along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya.
“Altogether 22 border haats have been approved by the Union Government along the Indo-Bangla border and Meghalaya is privileged to have been accorded four more border haats,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister added that the border haats were functional since Mughal period and the two functional border haats in Meghalaya are largely contributing to the economic development of Kalaichar and Balat where these haats have been setup.
Sangma said the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is working on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the four proposed border haats even as he said that out of 8 land custom stations, two land custom stations of Gasuapara and Dalu are being upgraded.
“The land custom stations of Gasuapara have been completed while the work is going on for Dalu land custom stations,” Sangma said while addressing the gathering.
Sangma also said that the North Eastern region plays a vital role in harnessing trade potentialities with South Asian countries since India’s connection with South East Asia is through North East which has been neglected for long due to its remoteness from the Centre.
“North East provides natural bridge between India and South East Asian countries,” he stated.
Looking at the geopolitical and other perspectives, there is a need for the North Eastern region to forge closer ties with South East Asian countries, Sangma said, but he also drew attention to the bottlenecks including the remoteness of the region, lack of infrastructure and connectivity.
If these issues are resolved jointly with the neighbouring countries, North East would undoubtedly contribute to the growth of the nation, he added. He also underlined the potentialities of external trade with South East Asian countries and informed the gathering that opening of four more Border Haats in the State was under consideration by the Central Government as also the proposal for inland waterways as there are a number of navigable rivers. Sangma requested the Union Ministry to look into these proposals.
‘Inland waterways should be explored’
The Chief Minister also opined that inland waterways in the region can also be explored to promote trade and commerce with the neighbouring countries and added that rivers like Kynshi, Simsang and Umngot have been identified as inland waterways for export of goods to Bangladesh.
He urged the Union Government to approve the ambitious plans of the State Government to develop commerce and trade with Bangladesh through inland waterways.
Recalling his visit to Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said that the delegation highlighted several priority issues with regard to connectivity which needed to be resolved.
“Some issues that we highlighted included the starting of a Dhaka- Shillong bus service, connecting Dhaka to Tura through Dalu, and connecting Dhaka with Guwahati immediately by air,” the CM informed.
“There are few pending issues which may be taken up before the relevant ministries and we will put our efforts together to fructify these objectives,” he informed adding that it is important to remind the Centre that India’s land connection with South East Asia is through North East India.
