AIZAWL: Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati highlighted the challenges of connectivity in the state, revealing that 118 remote villages remain without all-weather roads.
Speaking at the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala on Saturday, the governor stressed the need for greater support from the central government to improve road infrastructure in these far-flung areas.
Governor Kambhampati pointed out that projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) face limitations in these villages due to sparse habitations, calling for enhanced efforts to bridge the connectivity gap.
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The NEC meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister and NEC chairman Amit Shah.
Praising the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for its investment initiatives, Kambhampati highlighted Mizoram’s proactive approach to attracting investments.
He noted the establishment of an inter-departmental Investment Promotion Cell (IPC) to engage with sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and skill development.
The governor also underscored the need to integrate cross-border markets to attract investment partners from neighbouring countries, urging the DoNER ministry to explore this feasibility.
He advocated for a state-of-the-art skill development center in Mizoram and the upgrading of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to address the employable skill gap.
To promote local industries, Kambhampati proposed the creation of a common exhibition center in metropolitan cities to showcase Mizoram’s handloom, handicrafts, and organic agricultural products.
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Addressing agricultural challenges, the governor raised concerns about the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which has faced hurdles like insufficient seedling availability and inadequate farm roads.
He called for the establishment of a robust market structure and a dedicated organic certification agency to enhance the prospects of organic farming in the region.
Kambhampati expressed gratitude for the central government’s consistent efforts to foster development in the Northeast and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on the region’s significance during the recent ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav.’
He also commended the comprehensive North East Region Vision 2047, describing it as a transformative roadmap for the region’s progress.
The plenary session was attended by Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar, and governors and chief ministers of the Northeastern states, among other dignitaries.
