Planning commission to focus on connectivity and infrastructure creation in Northeast India

JORHAT(ASSAM): Deputy Chairman of Planning commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia said that thrust of 12th plan will be to ensure better connectivity in the eight states of Northeast India. Planning commission assured that there will be at least one airport in each Northeastern state.

Presently Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh does not have airports. Ahluwalia who in Jorhat in Assam recently while talking to ET exclusively said, “During 11th plan, we have focused on infrastructure creation and connectivity, this will be continued in 12th plan period.”

The deputy chairman elaborated that Assam has done remarkably well in the economic front in last couple of years.” Things are changing fast here. While agriculture is doing reasonably well and agricultural production is increasing, there is growth in the service sector.”

He added that Northeastern states have special challenges as difficult terrain and remoteness makes infrastructure creation work difficult. “However we are doing it and in 12th plan we will continue to pace up the work of infrastructure creation. Sikkim, Tripura and Meghalaya are also doing well in the economic front.”

Ahluwalia said that while the works of road connectivity will continue, those states which do not have airports will get one in the 12th plan period. “Possibilities of waterways are also being explored. Despite geographical odds and natural impediments, there has been substantial improvement in region.”

The deputy chairman observed that in times to come the eight states of region will catch up with rest of country in terms of growth.