Shillong, July 24:
Brief
– Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Inter-State Bus Terminus at Mawiong, Shillong
– Shah stresses on regional connectivity not just of air but also rail and road transport
– He wants the region to bring back its pre-independence ear glory
– PM Modi’s vision to connect all North Eastern States’ capitals by road, rail and air by 2024
– Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stresses on air connectivity and international connectivity for the State
– Bus terminus constructed at a cost of Rs. 48.31 crore
Full Report
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on Saturday inaugurated the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawiong, Shillong. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions connecting all North Eastern States’ capitals by road, rail and air by 2024, and the ISBT in Meghalaya will go a long way in fructifying the vision of the Prime Minister.
Inaugurated the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Connectivity in the NE states has always been the top priority of the NDA govt. This will further ease the people of Meghalaya and the neighbouring states. I congratulate CM @SangmaConrad Ji for this. pic.twitter.com/QyCVkhnPLk
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 24, 2021
The Inter-State Bus Terminus has been built at a cost of Rs. 48.31 crores, funded by North Eastern Council (NEC) in 90:10 funding pattern with the government of Meghalaya. Shah is the chairman of North Eastern Council (NEC).
Speaking on the occasion, Shah said, “It is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to connect all North Eastern States’ capitals by road, rail and air by 2024. The inauguration of the ISBT in Meghalaya will go a long way in fructifying the vision of our Prime Minister”.
He said Shillong being the capital of the erstwhile undivided Assam, it is only natural and befitting that the city be connected with other seven North Eastern States. “This will help accelerate economic activities and progress of Meghalaya and other NE states,” he said.
He also stressed that good connectivity is essential to the region as a whole for its development, security and to bring back its old glory.
He said tremendous has been done in line with PM Modi’s vision as most state capitals in the region have received air connectivity.
Barring Nagaland’s capital Kohima and Arunachal Pradesh’s capital Itanagar, all other capitals of North Eastern states have airports or are in close proximity to one. Itanagar and Kohima-Chiethui Airports are currently under construction.
Shah added that all the regional state capitals will be connected through both railways and airways by 2024 as ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has delayed work.
He also opined that road transport is equally important to facilitate better connectivity for passenger and goods vehicles, thereby translating to accelerated development of the region.
Conrad seeks international connectivity
Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma said the Union Home Minister has come to Meghalaya despite the Monsoon Session of Parliament underway. This goes to show the importance accorded to the North East by Government of India, and the Union Home Minister in particular.
He said the Inter-State Bus Terminus is an important landmark for the state and the region. However, going forward, he stressed on air connectivity and international connectivity.
“Before the Independence, North East had GDP share of 20 per cent but today its just 3 per cent. By bringing in more connectivity, especially international, I am sure the North East once again reach the level of 20 per cent GDP share,” Conrad said.
