SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has pitched for fast development of infrastructure, including air connectivity between the North East and ASEAN countries and roads linking all state capitals in the region.
Sangma, who was in Agartala on Tuesday for the first meeting of the NITI Forum for the northeastern states, asserted that development was the cure for all socio-economic ailments in the region and “through infrastructure and connectivity, many development problems can be solved”.
According to him, the formation of NITI Aayog Forum would go a long way in realising the potentials of the North East as all the states will come together to address challenges based on similarities and commonalities to chart out an action plan.) In the context of the National Games 2022, Sangma said the event should be treated as one of the region and “the momentum of growth and development should be accelerated”.
Tripura and Nagaland chief ministers Biplab Kumar Deb and Neiphiu Rio, respectively, Minister of DoNER Jitendra Singh and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar were present during the constitution of the forum.
Rio pointed out that Kohima is the only state capital in the North East that does not have an airport. He said the state has acquired land for a “small airstrip” to facilitate connectivity under the UDAN scheme.
The members also deliberated on hydel power, tourism, border trade, bamboo, floriculture, medicinal plants, horticulture, handicrafts, animal husbandry and organic farming, among others.
Climate change
Sangma expressed his concern on climate change and suggested ways for mitigation and adaptation. “There is a need to create small check dams and reservoirs and hybrid system for power, so that we are able to tap the potential of our resources,” he said.
“I am optimistic that NITI Aayog Forum for Northeast would be able to guide each state to move forward with specific suggestions and ideas,” the chief minister said.
He informed the gathering that Meghalaya is contemplating to chart out a policy on waste disposal management and would recycle plastics and engage communities to produce organic manures from bio wastes.
