Union DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy on Saturday called for accelerating road infrastructure projects in Nagaland.
Asserting that the Government of India is ready to provide money, Reddy asked the officials concerned to complete the National Highway 29 from Dimapur to Kohima at the earliest.
“This road will be the game changer for Nagaland,” he stated.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee first announced the Kohima-Dimapur four-lane NH-29 project during his visit to Nagaland in October 2003.
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In 2013, the construction of the four-lane highway was approved and road cutting works began in 2015. However, the construction of the road is yet to be completed.
Reddy was speaking at a programme at the Nagaland State Cricket Stadium at Sovima in Dimapur after unveiling the commemorative plaque of the road connecting Sovima village gate to Thahekhu village from NH-29.
He noted that this road is very important for Dimapur city as it would ease traffic congestion in the city’s main road and improve social and trade relations between different areas.
Reddy said with better infrastructural improvement, increase in resources and development activities, the inflow of tourists to Nagaland will increase as Nagaland is adorned with natural beauty of rich culture and traditions.
“The North East region has natural beauty which we cannot get anywhere. Therefore, we should meet the expectations of the tourists,” he added.
Stating that traditions, language, areas and states might differ, he said, “We are one people, one nation, one country and we are all sons of Bharat.”
Reddy said the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to increase all infrastructure activities in the Northeast region. In this regard, he urged the people to support the governments of the northeastern states for development of the region.
He assured that the Centre will implement all the central schemes in the region with commitment.
Reddy also laid the foundation stone for In-Service Teachers Training-cum- Examination Centre with residential facilities at Pherima, Medziphema, on the day.
Nagaland deputy chief minister Y Patton, who is also minister in charge of PWD (roads and bridges), said the roads are the only means of transportation and communication within the state.
He said Nagaland being a landlocked state all socio-economic activities of the state entirely depend on road infrastructure.
Patton impressed upon the DoNER minister that the state will require more assistance from the DoNER ministry for construction and improvement of road infrastructure for promoting tourism, trade, industry and all-round development of the state.
He requested the Union minister that the funding under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme be extended to the state till such time the roads are fully developed so as to make them at par with other states in the country.