No road connectivity from Myanmar
Y Merina Chishi
Dimapur| September 2
Fifteen years since the government of India declared the Look East Policy and consequent opening of five border trade centres (BTC) in Nagaland, has not helped in improving the economic conditions of the people living in the border areas. Till date, no significant progress has taken place. Apart from the initial days of trading, the marketing sheds are worn out and trade has become limited. The Centre has hardly taken any initiative to boost infrastructure and Nagaland government is still struggling to build better road connectivity.
In an attempt to promote trade and international activities, Nagaland government opened four border trade centers - Lungwa in Mon district, Pansgha in Noklak sub-division in Tuensang district, Mimi in Kiphrie district, Avangkhu under Meluri sub-division in Phek district. Several years have passed but the progress has not been as anticipated. Apart from the initial enthusiasm of having trade with a traditional neighbour and, interestingly, with family, progress has faltered.
Initially, trade related infrastructure was supposed to be taken up in the first phase at Longwa, Pangsha and Avangkhu. While road connectivity at Avangkhu has begun, it was reportedly stalled for a few months due to escalating prices. However, measures were adopted by the government and work is going on, the Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Commerce Dr. KC Nihoshe assured. He said the problem in Avangkhu was the inability to construct road in the rocky portion measuring about 3 to 4 kilometers. Additional funds have been sought from the department of Road and Bridges and work will resume soon, he said.
Dr. Nihoshe also said that development in Longwa and Pangsha are in progress. He said road communications on the Indian side of the border is progressing gradually, but regretted that the Myanmar still has no proper road connectivity. Myanmar people still carry head-loads to trade with their neighbours, he said.
The Parliamentary Secretary said trade is carried out only during the dry season on the notification by the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts. However, according to reliable sources, no ‘marketing day’ has taken place in the past two years.
The problem of smuggling of contraband through the BTCs has also not been addressed. Dr. Nihoshe said ‘officially no contraband is allowed’ during trade. But to keep check on smuggling would discourage the people, he said. It has been reported by the department of Excise that smuggling of contrabands like opium, marijuana, cocaine etc continues unabated through the porous borders which include the BTCs.
As of now, only informal trade flourishes at the border. The movement of people is common in the bordering villages and towns. However, unless the government- both Centre and State- take serious interest in developing the border trade posts, there will be no major gains for the people and the trade points will remain a an invisible line between two counties.
