Says 2-lane road work till Avangkhu to begin soon
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan Saturday said that the Central government’s vision was to develop the Northeast with railways and highway connectivity, communication network and DTH connectivity, which are being currently undertaken in the State.
According to PIB report, Dr Murugan, who flew to the remote village of Avangkhu, became the first union minister to visit India’s first village on the Indo-Myanmar border in Phek district of Nagaland.
He was given a rousing traditional welcome by the villagers, leaders and womenfolk.
Speaking at the public interaction programme held at the International Trade Centre in Avangkhu, Dr L Murugan recalled about Modi government’s commitment towards developing the North East including the border areas of the region. He again reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that the last village is India’s first village.
Highlighting India’s seriousness towards the Act East Policy, the minister announced that the two-lane road upto Avangkhu border has already been sanctioned and work will start soon. He said this will pave the way for the development of border regions. He expressed the hope that the International Trade Centre at Avangkhu will also witness increased business activities due to increase in trade volume and better connectivity.
Dwelling on the piggery development in the state, Dr Murugan said National Livestock Mission (NLM) has been supporting entrepreneurs of the state and strengthening farm infrastructure and technology. He informed that in the last nine years, around Rs 1,770 lakhs have been provided to the state government as assistance under the NLM in the piggery sector.
The minister along with other officials also visited the India-Myanmar border to take stock of the exact situation prevailing there. During his interaction with the villagers of the border village Avangkhu, the minister expressed happiness to see development activities taking place in the North East region.
During his three-day tour, he also visited Chesezu village in Phek district where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had reportedly camped in the village during World War II. The minister also paid a visit to Vezo Swuro who was associated with Netaji during the reported stay in the village.
He later interacted with officials of DIPR, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and units of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting based in Kohima. The minister also announced that a grant of Rs 14.99 lakh had been allocated to Phek district for exhibition of children’s films in the district.
Murugan was accompanied by advisor Civil Administrative Work department & Taxes Kudecho Khamo.