Tourism and connectivity in Northeast

Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, G Kishan Reddy's statement that "tourism can be a game-changer that can bring socio-economic change in the nation, especially in the Northeast region", has become more relevant for the region in view of COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. It will remain a mere catchline of conferences and seminars unless road connectivity projects in the region are pushed for timely completion. Official data, however, presents the harsh realities of poor progress of road sector projects. These connectivity projects are vital for promoting tourism circuits and destinations in the region, including 16 projects under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism. A report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce presented to Rajya Sabha Speaker on September 11 has brought to light that the Ministry of Road and Transport failed to fully utilize the budget allocated for the region during the last five financial years with Rs. 3051 crores left unutilized during the Financial Year 2020-21. The fact that the Ministry has initiated Special Accelerated Road Development Program in Northeast (SARDP-NE) for an estimated cost of Rs 80,007 crores demonstrates the Central Government's focus on improving connectivity in the region. A huge amount of sanctioned fund lying unutilized is a spoiler in such an initiative and poses a transport bottleneck for smooth and seamless movement across the region. The region being hilly and terrain connectivity-road, railway, or air connectivity to the prime destinations ae of paramount importance to attract domestic as well as foreign tourists and backpackers. When these destinations are well connected by good roads that are also connected with state or national highways as well as with the nearest railway station or airport, entrepreneurs in hospitality sectors, tour and travel operators can become confident of making investments and promoting these destinations. The parliamentary panel has flagged an important issue of landslides in the region hindering accessibility, especially during monsoon. The Committee recommends that roads constructed in these regions are provided with appropriate structural support to ensure all-weather connectivity which is critical to promoting destinations in the region. Undertaking proper maintenance of roads in the region and providing adequate budgetary allocation, as recommended by the committee are also crucial but often ignored which leave constructed national highways and state highways and roads with large potholes. The Ministry putting in place a robust mechanism of real-time monitoring and evaluation of the progress of various projects undertaken in the region for tourism will also require it to coordinate with other ministries about the progress of related projects for the improvement of connectivity in the region. The Tourism Minister, also holding the portfolio of DoNER and Culture Ministry, has the advantage of coordinating with all other ministries on projects undertaken for the development of the northeast region. Benefits of improving water transport services between India and Bangladesh, for instance, are not just limited to deepening trade and commerce but also promoting culture and tourism promotion in the region. Brahmaputra, Barak and their tributaries have a high potential of boosting river tourism in the region but can be possible only if a safe and modern inland water transport system is developed as part of tourism promotion. A cruise along the Brahmaputra connects Kamakhya and Umananda Temples in Guwahati, Majuli river island -the cultural capital of Assam and Kaziranga National Park on a river tourism circuit. Keeping the river navigable is critical to smooth plying of the vessels. The Ministry of Port and Shipping negotiating with Bangladesh authorities for using Brahmaputra waterways for cargo movement has also brightened prospects of river tourism promotion as dredging required for keeping the river navigable will allow large river cruise vessels to ply round the year. Different ministries have initiated projects which are interconnected but when these ministries work in silos, the potential benefits often escape the attention of investors, policymakers, state and national governments. State governments in the region extending full cooperation to the Tourism, DoNER and Culture Ministry, the feedback on such projects can help to achieve the goal of brand promotion of Northeast for attracting tourists. The economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the northeast region which has been reeling under problems arising out of decades of develop-deficit. Lockdown and travel restrictions have ruined the tourism industry in the region. However, travel restrictions on international travel due to the pandemic have opened huge potential for attracting high-end domestic tourists to enjoy pristine nature and enjoy cultural festivals of a large number of ethnic communities in the region as COVID-19 cases are declining and the states in the region have started unlocking. Expediting road and other connectivity projects are vital to ensure that north-eastern states can tap this huge potential in the tourism sector. Timely utilization of fund sanctioned to various ministries for the development of the northeast region is a must to achieve the desired goal.