Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Nov 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the government is planning to set up North East Industrial Corridor that will create numerous job opportunities for the people of the region.
“The Arunachal Corridor will act as a land bridge between India and South East Asia that will provide employment opportunities and give fillip to trade and tourism,†he said addressing the 11th Maitree Diwas celebrations in Tawang district bordering China.
Singh jointly inaugurated the inaugurated the two-day socio-military cultural extravaganza with Chief Minister Pema Khandu and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan.
The two-day socio-military cultural extravaganza is jointly organised by the Indian Army, Tawang Civil Administration and volunteers at the High-Altitude Stadium, which stands as a testimony to the spirit of solidarity and patriotic fervour that runs deep amongst the locals of Tawang district.
Underlining the special emphasis of the central government on the development of the North East region under the Act East Policy, the Defence Minister said, “India is marching forward on the path of all-round progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâ€.
“Road to ‘New India’ runs through ‘New North-East India’,†he said.
Reaffirming government’s commitment to improve connectivity in this frontier state bordering with Bhutan in the west, Myanmar in the east and is separated from China in the north by the McMahon Line, Singh said, the approval to construct a tunnel at Sela Pass to Tawang, operationalisation of Pasighat airport, to set up Hollongi Airport near Itanagar and work to establish three strategic Railway lines in the region are some of the decisions in that direction.
“These projects will provide all-weather connectivity to the local population, facilitate the movement of the armed forces and give a boost to tourism,†he said.
The Defence Minister also lauded the Five-Year Road Plan of Chief Minister Pema Khandu under which all the existing inter-state and inter-district roads will be upgraded to State highway specifications by 2024.
Exhorting the youth of Arunachal Pradesh to actively join the armed forces, Singh said, “The people of Arunachal Pradesh are known for their patriotism. My ministry will see that Army Recruitment Centres are set up in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang.â€
Singh said the Defence ministry is also planning to set up an Army Liaison Cell in Itanagar to facilitate cooperation with the Army for Operational purposes in Arunachal Pradesh.
He said the Army Liaison Cell will be a single window entity for all issues.
Singh visited Tawang War Memorial and offered tributes to the fallen soldiers who made supreme sacrifice during the War of 1962.
