NE states need to tap tourism potential: PM
SHILLONG: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has batted for improving connectivity in the Northeastern region by augmenting railway penetration.
Speaking at the 65th plenary session of the NEC on Friday, the Prime Minister said the Railways have undertaken a major expansion drive in the region at a cost of around Rs.10,000 crore.
Stating that the Union government is working to ensure that all the Northeastern states figure on the rail map soon, the Prime Minister said in the North East, the Railways has commissioned about 900 kms of broad gauge line in the last two years, leaving only about 50 kms of meter gauge lines to be converted in 2016-17.
In addition, a 132 kilometre part of a third alternative connectivity route to the North East (New Maynaguri – Jogighopa) has also been commissioned, he said.
Speaking on the tourism sector, the Prime Minister said the region boasts of a number of positives which need to be harnessed for healthy growth of the region.
“All the states of the North East region are blessed with natural scenic beauty, distinct historical cultural and ethnic heritage. All this offers tremendous scope for tourism in the region. There is also a great scope for mountaineering, trekking and adventure tourism in the region. If developed and promoted well, this can emerge as the biggest employer in the region. It can also add to the growth and income of the region,” he observed.
According to the Prime Minister, the Union Ministry of Tourism has identified a thematic circuit for the North East region. He urged the Northeastern states to make the best use of the scheme to develop tourist circuits and attract tourists from all over the world.
He also opined that the region can also look into combining a few popular destinations of the neighbouring countries with their tourism circuits to provide added attraction to tourists.
The Prime Minister also batted for opening up of BPOs in the Northeastern region, saying majority of youth of the North East region are English speaking and with improved connectivity and language skills, the state governments may look into setting up of the BPO industry in the region.
He said that the Union government has approved North East BPO promotion scheme in the Digital India programme for creation of employment opportunities and added that the Northeastern states must avail facilities and get these BPOs operationalised in their respective states to promote growth and to provide jobs to youths.
‘NE region should focus on organic farming’
“The North East can become the organic food basket of India,” observed the Prime Minister while stressing on the need to develop organic farming in the region. Stating that the region is home to exotic fruits, flowers, vegetables, aromatic plants and herbs, he said that most of them are organic in origin and a focus on organic farming would help the region greatly.
He said other states can take a lead from Sikkim and the North East Council can also play an important role in the development of organic farming in the region.
According to the Prime Minister, organic products are going to be increasingly used widely and if the NEC can assist the states in the region to take a lead in this area, it will contribute immensely to the income of the people and the region.