UDP for border roads

SHILLONG, APRIL 10:  The United Democratic Party (UDP) has asked chief minister Mukul Sangma to approach Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a special package to construct quality roads across Meghalaya’s international border with Bangladesh and state border with Assam to boost the economy of the state.

“The chief minister can approach the country’s Prime Minister, requesting that the PM’s package be extended to Meghalaya for better road connectivity across the borders to enhance the economic prospects of the state,” UDP chief Donkupar Roy said in the Assembly on Wednesday.

Roy asked the state government to explore the possibility of constructing quality roads across the borders that would connect the state to the commercial centres of Bangladesh to boost trade and the economy of the state. A national highway connecting Baghmara with Shella, Dawki and Silchar, he said, would be blessing to the people of the state especially those living in the borders.

Roy also called for opening more trade routes with Bangladesh in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills to strengthen trade and commerce with the neighbouring country.

Expressing concern over lack of better roads in the state, the former chief minister said that the state needs durable and all-weather roads. More than 1500 villages in the state, he said, are yet to be connected with roads. “This is due to the fact that 60 per cent of rural villages have a population of more than 200, which is not in line with the norms of the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yoyana (PMGSY),” he said, while urging the government to request the Centre for relaxation of the norms for Meghalaya.

On the unemployment scenario, the UDP chief suggested that the government should go in for joint ventures with private players to set up industrial units. He, however, expressed surprise that only 1000 local youths have found employment in the 13 existing cement factories operating in the state.

The veteran leader also requested the chief minister to look into the rampant leakages of revenue in the transport department that is affecting the state exchequer. (By Our Reporter)