Arunachal Dy CM emphasis on the reopening of the historic Stilwell Road

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Sunday emphasized on the reopening of the historic Stilwell Road, insisting that it will act as a catalyst for promoting trade and spiritual tourism between India and southeast Asian countries.

Participating at the Oriah festival of the Wancho community here, he said the state government will form a committee for the development of the road which connects India with northern Myanmar and China's Yunnan province via Pangsau Pass in eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

"We will appeal to the Centre for prioritizing the restoration work of the road as it will be mutually beneficial for both India and Myanmar," he said. Terming the North-East region as the gateway to the ASEAN countries, the deputy chief minister said the reopening of the Stilwell Road or Ledo Road will reduce travel distance and act as a "catalyst for cross border trade".

Mein said that the country's Act East Policy aims at increasing trade ties, promoting tourism and developing the economic scenario of the South East Asian region through outreach initiatives. He also raised the issue relating to the creating of infrastructure and development of the border areas in the state.

"There is every possibility for Arunachal Pradesh to become the fruit bowl of the country and the state has also the potential to become one of the tourist hotspots. But the need of the hour is how to utilize these natural resources to draw more tourists," he said.

Mein said the state government is providing every possible support for the protection and promotion of the indigenous tribal cultures. He said that the government had provided some funds to the research department last year to make documentation of the traditional healing system of Idu-Mishmi.

Image Credit- PTI