Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh government will urge the Centre to initiate talks with Bhutan government for construction of a road from West Bengal to the state through the Himalyan country, PWD Minister Chowna Mein told the assembly on Monday.
The proposed road from Alipurduar in West Bengal running along the foothills of Bhutan to Nechipu in West Kameng district of the state would lessen the burden of the state in carrying construction materials for various power projects in the state, Mein said.
The minister made the statement after Congress MLA Takar Marde said construction work in many power projects of the state, especially the 2000 mw Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project at Gerukamukh, came to a halt for the past few months due to road blockade by various anti-dam groups in Assam.
He requested the state government to take up the issue with the prime minister and the external affairs ministry for initiating talks with Bhutan government for getting clearance of the road.
Mein said the state government has faced similar problems while opening up of Stillwell Road from Lido to Pangsu Pass in Aruanchal side under NH-137, after adoption of look east policy by the Central government has given go ahead signal for construction of the road for border trade purposes with Myanmar.
But the problem is the Myanmar government is contemplating for construction of the Stillwell Road at their side, however, the portion of the road in Arunachal side already been completed. Completion of Stillwell Road would immensely help in border trade with other countries as the road started at Lido to Vietnam through Thailand, the minister said. (Agencies)