Dimapur, December 6 (MExN): The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland State on Saturday requested the Government of Assam to look into the matter of the repair and year-long maintenance of the inter-state Highways on an urgent basis.
In an open letter to Assam Chief Minister (CM) Sarbananda Sonowal, the NPP Nagaland congratulated the CM on various developmental initiatives undertaken throughout the state of Assam since the time Sonowal came into power in May 2016.
“While so much has been done for the people of Assam by your government, the issue of development of border areas especially the border roads connecting Nagaland with Assam have been lying neglected for several decades which has adversely affected transport and communication between the two states which in turn has also led to the deterioration of economy for both the states as both the states are inter-dependent on each other for economic progress,” the NPP stated.
It further stated that Dimapur being the hub of commercial activities, is not only the backbone of economy for the state of Nagaland but also for the neighbouring state of Manipur and the districts of Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Jorhat and Golaghat. As such, it pitched for proper road connectivity between Nagaland and Assam.
It also commended the ongoing work to develop the condition of National Highway – 29 (Numaligarh-Dimapur-Kohima), and welcomed the move.
However, it highlighted the deplorable condition of the National Highway-36 (Nagaon- Doboka-Dimapur) and National Highway - 702D (Jorhat-Mariani-Mokokchung) which it said, have been lying in utter neglect and in a pathetic condition without any signs of improvement.
These particular Highways are strategic ones as they connect many border towns of Nagaland with Assam, the NPP stated.
It reasoned that these highways are important economic lifelines for the people residing in all the border areas.
In this regard, the NPP Nagaland State requested the Government of Assam led by the CM to look into the matter of the repair and year-long maintenance of the inter-state Highways on an urgent basis.
It further added that the States can progress only when “we shed aside our petty differences and think in a collaborative manner about the overall development and benefit of the common public.”
