New Delhi, May 4 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today urged the Centre to take initiative for starting direct flights to Southeast Asian countries from Guwahati, saying Rs 100 crore should be provided from the ASEAN-India Fund to fill the viability gaps in this regard.
Addressing an interactive session of the chief ministers of northeastern states on 'Act East Policy' that was chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here, he also urged the Centre to do the needful for reopening of the British-era Stilwell road connecting Ledo in Assam with Kunming in China.
The chief minister said launching of direct flights connecting the northeastern region with the capitals of Southeast Asian countries would play a vital role in making the region a lucrative destination for potential investors, a statement issued by the state government said.
Sonowal urged the External Affairs Ministry to contribute an amount of Rs 100 crore from ASEAN-India Fund to fill the viability gaps for starting flights from Guwahati to Singapore, Dhaka, Bangkok, Mandalay or Yangon. Rs 100 crore has been committed by the Assam government for the purpose, he said.
The chief minister stressed on the urgent need for early completion of the Asian Trilateral Highway as well as the reopening of the Stilwell Road upto Kunming in China and importance of connecting the waterways of Barak, Brahmaputra and Kushiyara rivers with Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh.
"Improved connectivity and infrastructure will lead to exponential growth in tourism sector in the region in days to come as northeast India has a lot to offer on the tourism front. The region can also expect increased flow of patients from Southeast Asia," he said.
Sonowal also urged the External Affairs Ministry to simplify existing visa regime for facilitating free movement of people, including introduction of provisions like visa-on-arrival in the capitals of the northeastern states and relaxing restricted area permit for ASEAN countries for visiting the region.
The chief minister called for improved access to international submarine fibre-optic cable network internet landing station at Cox Bazaar in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to take initiatives to make the region a hub of IT and ITES by providing fast internet connectivity from this international gateway.
Lifting of restrictions on tradable items and upgradation of international border trade centres like Sutarkandi and Moreh were some of the other key suggestion made by the chief minister, the statement said.
