EMN
Dimapur, November 4
A delegation of BJP Nagaland State Unit led by its president Dr M.Chuba Ao. and HK Khulu, State executive member submitted a memorandum to Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari while laying the foundation stone at Patkai Bridge, Chumukedima for four-lane road from Dimapur to Kohima on Novermner 3.
The memorandum stressed the need for development of infrastructure in Nagaland.
While interacting with the party delegation, the visiting union minister asked that people to remove misconception on the party saying that the top priority of the party was to bring development and benefit the grassroots people.
State BJP General Secretary and Spokesman K.James Vizo said, “Recalling the last visit of Gadkari as the BJP president at national level in 2012 when he visited Tuensang and Mon districts, he said stated that the primary problem faced by the region was due to economic disparity and assured that party would look into the matter at appropriate time.”
The BJP State Unit expressed sincere gratitude to the union minister for the announcement of Rs 10,000 crore package for Nagaland for construction of roads and bridges and assurance to declare “Trans Eastern Highway and Trilateral Highway into National Highway which are parts of the major effort of the party for the state.
The party conveyed that the undertaking four-lane road construction is the result of the initiatives commenced by the NDA regime headed by the former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
“Stating that the party was committed to bring in all-round development and improved infrastructure in Nagaland, the party also welcomed all concerned to contribute valuable suggestions to benefit the masses.
In the memorandum, the state BJP unit drew the attention of the minister on the priority works on infrastructures which are required to be implemented through the State Government in right earnest during the NDA/BJP regime.
They are “North- South Expressway(Foothill Road-4 Lane) on the western side of the state ( Mon to Dimapur/Khelma) needs to be taken up in right earnest. In fact the state Government had sent a proposal for approval under NLCPR(Central). This can be linked to the Stilwell road in Arunachal in the north and to the national Quadrilateral road near Silchar in the south.
Trans-Eastern Highway linking the districts in the international boundary with Myanmar( Mon- Longwa – Pangsha –Avangkhu – Kiphire) needs to be taken up on priority – This is extremely important for national defence and also to facilitate Trade and commerce with ASEAN countries thus making the country’s declared “ Act East Policy “ a reality.
There is a need to link the Trilateral highway being taken up from Moreh(Manipur) via Bagan (Myanmar) to Mae Sot( Thailand) to Nagaland from Dimapur via Niuland – Zunheboto –Aghunato –Pangsha(ITC) on to Lahe and beyond in Myanmar linking the Trilateral highway.
Nagaland is landlocked and is connected only by road and one railhead at Dimapur to the rest of the country. In order to facilitate trade and commerce with Myanmar it would be necessary to open up waterway through Tizu/ Zungki river( Nagaland) which flow into the Chindwin river and onto Irrawady river in Myanmar
Air connectivity is absolutely necessary and a new Airport of international standard is urgently required in Dimapur area. Possible areas are located towards Dhansiripar or at Razaphema – This needs to be expedited.
Construction of Circular road and bypass in Kohima has become absolutely essential as the existing roads are overloaded and traffic has become extremely difficult.
Roads are the only means of transportation within the state and even the roads connecting the district headquarters are in pathetic condition. The people of the state would be most grateful if the roads to all the 11 district headquarters are taken up during the NDA regime on priority. This would directly impact the Aam Aadmi.
Decongestion of the commercial capital, Dimapur, needs to be taken up urgently. Two more bridges over Dhansiri river and at least two fly-over bridges in Dimapur are the crying need. In fact, we would request you to consider this as your gift to the state BJP unit although the project will be implemented as per the required norms by the State Government.
These submissions are made by the state BJP for the people of Nagaland and also in support of the schemes submitted through the official channel by the State Government. We are confident that you will consider our plea sympathetically. On our part we assure you that we will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen the BJP in the state and work with our alliance partners harmoniously and become active partners in nation building of our great country, the land of tolerance, diversity and harmony.”
