‘There is a need to create a transit route through B’desh’

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Dec 14: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today suggested creating a transit route through Bangladesh to connect Meghalaya with the rest of the country.

Dr Sangma made this suggestion to Madhukar Gupta, Chairman of the Committee constituted by tiol Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) when the latter called upon the Chief Minister in his office chamber on Wednesday afternoon.

Both Dr Sangma and Gupta discussed strengthening of border protection and border fencing along the India-Bangladesh Border.

During the meeting, the Meghalaya Chief Minister suggested building multimode transport system and other infrastructure through proactive bilateral engagement in respect of transit through Bangladesh.

Dr Sangma pointed out that along the border with Bangladesh in West Bengal is a place called Hili and from that point to the western part of Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills, a transit through Bangladesh can be created.

“This transit can bring down the overall distance between the rest of the country and North East,” the Chief Minister told reporters.

According to Dr Sangma, the distance between Hili, West Bengal and Western border of Meghalaya is just only 100 km, if transited through Bangladesh.

The Chief Minister also said that there is a need to understand that many more infrastructure have been created so that Meghalaya can become a transit point.

He said that the infrastructures do not confine to road and rail but also beyond like in the power sector.

“Power sector is seen as one of the areas which can be further promoted in our business partnership with Bangladesh. If India can provide power supply to Bangladesh along the border then there can be investments and industries which can create demand for raw materials from this part of the world,” Dr Sangma added.

He also said his government has posted before Government of India the need to further examine and see whether there can some more border haats along the Indo-Bangla border.

The Chief Minister informed that a total 24 such locations have been identified involving the authorities from both sides of the border. These 24 include the two which are operatiol, four already sanctioned and 18 locations which are required to be considered for further sanction.