Dimapur, Feb. 8: Lok Sabha member Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday called for restoration of the proposed Trans Asian Highway to its original route.
While delivering his budget speech at the Lower House, Rio informed the house that original proposed Trans Asian Highway from Guwahati- Dimapur- Senapati- Imphal- Moreah- Myanmar has been diverted to Guwahati- Silchar- Jiribam- Tupul avoiding Naga areas.
He said that this should be restored to its original route. Also stating that railways and highways should reach remote places, especially the eastern part of Nagaland, Rio told the house that the new project Dimapur-Tizit 257 km railway line costing Rs 4274 crore appeared in the Pink Book of 2013-14 was awaiting NITI AAYOG approval.
While calling for development of local air strips and establishment of regional airlines, especially during emergencies and calamities, he also informed that the Chiethu Airport proposal in Kohima has been lying in the cold storage for one and a half decade.
Rio also invited the central government to set up medical colleges, engineering colleges, tech institutes, centre of excellence for education etc in Nagaland, and underscored that infrastructure, connectivity and human resources should be given top most priority. Calling the exercise of demonetisation as a landmark event for the economy of the country, he hoped that the long-term gains should outweigh the short-term constraints. “The avowed objectives of curbing black money, terrorist funding, corruption, counterfeit currency would have been achieved and digitization of financial transactions with more transparency.”
The MP also suggested that the Look East and the Act East policy should be made a reality to bridge economic development with the ASEAN countries.
On the Indo-Myanmar border fencing at Pangsha area, Rio told the house that there are Nagas living on both sides of the border. “Regarding this I have already written to the prime minister, home minister and external affairs minister and personally discussed with prime minister, home minister to prevent the ongoing border fencing.
“I am happy that they had assured me to look into the matter. I hope that voice and desire of the people will be respected to maintain good relationship with the local people in the border areas.” He also reminded the house that Naga people are still struggling to resolve the larger Naga political issue. “We all pray and hope that the present negotiation which has been going on for the last 20 years will be consummated soon and peace restored.”
On the recent violence over ULB elections, Rio told the assembly that the state was facing the problem ‘because the voice and the wishes of the tribe hohos are not respected’ and that it was against the spirit of Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which gives the Naga people special protection.
