IASbaba's Flagship Course: Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) - 2024 Read Details
TOPIC: General Studies 2
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes
In News: For decades, poor infrastructure and limited connectivity have acted as roadblocks hindering the socio-economic development of these states. 16 years after the commencement of work, the Bogibeel bridge over the river Brahmaputra was finally inaugurated.
With this bridge becoming operational distance from Dibrugarh to Rangiya will be reduced by 170 km and a train journey from Itangar, capital of Arunachal Pradesh to Dibrugarh will be only 180 km. People from Dhemaji, Jonai and North Lakhimpur who had to earlier travel the whole day to cross the Brahmaputra to reach Dibrugarh, will now cross the river within minutes.
Focus on Infrastructure
The north-eastern region (NER) has been placed on a pedestal for the purposes of central assistance, subsidies and exemptions. Connectivity has been the proverbial Achilles’ Heel for the Northeast. On this front, there are visible signs of change, with the rapid construction of national highways, bridges, rail and air linkages.
The recently-commissioned airports at Pakyong in Sikkim and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh have given wings to economic possibilities. Rural infrastructure and connectivity have seen a significant improvement under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Border Area Development Programme, though the quality of road infrastructure, especially state highways and rural roads remains quite pathetic. Torrential monsoon rains and mudslides make the task of road maintenance even more challenging.
Transformation by Transportation
The NE region lies on the wrong side of the narrow Siliguri corridor and comprises of eight and half states and nearly 5 cr people supported by a single road axis prone to disruptions. The isolation and neglect in mainstreaming the people mainly due to lack of connectivity and infrastructure has contributed to the various insurgencies.
There is an imperative to ensure peace, stability and development in the region by providing the people the much-needed connectivity to ensure the benefits of education, health care and economic growth. This will also give a push to tourism as the NE is by far one of the most scenic and serene places in India.
At the strategic level the 3488 km long India- China border remains the longest though most peaceful disputed border in the world, with the last shot in anger fired in October of 1975. However, the disputed border does remain a potential driver for conflict and given the emerging geostrategic construct with China asserting itself as a global power, it is an imperative that India build capabilities and enhance capacities, to protect its interests in all domains especially so along the disputed border.
The Way Ahead
It is time the government takes immediate and urgent measures to give additional impetus to build the requisite infrastructure to address the security needs as also facilitate mainstreaming of the border people and ensure development of the region.
Note:
District Infrastructure Index (DII): In order to reduce intra-regional disparity and better targeting of schemes and projects in North Eastern States. The DII is based on seven broad indicators — transport facilities in terms of road density and road quality, energy, water supply, education, health facilities, communication infrastructure and banking facilities.
North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS): The funds under the scheme, will be distributed among eight North Eastern States on the basis of well-defined criteria on certain parameters e.g. Area, Population, Human Development Index, Road density, etc. The scheme, inter alia, aims to cover the social sectors namely health and education in North Eastern Region.
Read:
Infrastructural Projects in North Eastern Region
Developmental Projects in North Eastern States
Upgradation of Airports in North East
Digital North East Vision 2022
Connecting the Dots: