Arunachal to move Centre for alternative road via Bhutan

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today assured to move to Centre with a proposal for undertaking survey for an alternative road from Berakund in West Bengal to the state via Bhutan to avoid impact of frequent blockades in neighbouring Assam.

Responding to question from Congress member Takar Marde during question hour in the assembly today, Tuki said that the state government had already submitted a memorandum to the Centre pleading for construction of a road between Lumla in Tawang district and Bhutan besides opening up of border trade with Bhutan and Myanmar.

"During the visit of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Oscar Fernandes to the state last year, the state government raised the issue," Tuki disclosed and added that frequent bandh in Assam had affected development in Arunachal Pradesh as the state is entirely dependent on the neighbouring state for movement.

Earlier, Marde drew the attention of the House that without alternate roads, all the power projects and other important projects in the state have ran into rough weather following delay in transporting construction materials due to frequent bandhs in neighbouring Assam.

Admitting that due to absence of alternate roads, all projects in the state are facing impediments, Tuki assured the House to take up the matter urgently with the Centre.