Prospects of reopening the historic Stilwell Road, a vital link between India and South East Asian countries, have brightened with Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen (retd) J J Singh announcing that upgradation of the road was being discussed with the Centre. “With the upgradation of the road, cross-border relation with Myanmar will get a boost which in turn will lead to a new chapter in the economic growth of Arunachal Pradesh in particular and India in general,” Singh said at a gathering in Changlang district.

The former army chief who visited Pangsau Pass on the India-Myanmar border said, “Top priority in my personal agenda is to make the historic Stilwell Road of international standard.”

The Governor’s announcement on upgradation of the road was the second milestone in the process of its reopening.

On November 24 last, Union Minister of State for Trade and Commerce Jairam Ramesh inaugurated a border trade centre at Nampong, a few kilometres away from the international border on the same road, now known as NH153.

The 60 km-stretch, half of which runs through Assam from Ledo and rest through Arunachal Pradesh, was named after an American general who led thousands of labourers through dense forests to construct the road to maintain supply to Allied Forces fighting against the Japanese during the Second World War.

The road remained unused for more than six decades and demands for its reopening have been made by north-eastern states to give shape to the Look East Policy of the Centre.

|  Headlines  |  Editorial   | Cover story  |
|  Travel Column   |   News Briefs  |
| OT Main Page | Nena  Home Page  |