National Security is the Topmost Priority: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Sisseri River bridge at Lower Dibang Valley inaugurated. The bridge would cut travel time between Pasighat and Roing by five hours

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called for bolstering border infrastructure saying that national security is the top most priority of the government. He said this while inaugurating the Sisseri River bridge at Lower Dibang Valley. The 200-metre long bridge between Jonai-Pasighat-Ranaghat-Roing road will provide connectivity between Dibang Valley and Siang districts and meet the long-pending demand of the people of Arunachal Pradesh as it would cut down the travel time from Pasighat to Roing by about five hours.

Rajnath said the Government has adopted the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) in its plan keeping in view security of the people residing in the border areas. “Infrastructural upgradation is necessary for the security of the Northeast and the entire country,” he added.

Rajnath said the government has initiated numerous infrastructure projects in the State. He listed out various projects, including the proposed Bhalukpong-Tenga-Tawang railway line, operationalisation of Pasighat airport, nod to Hollongi airport and approval to construct Sela Pass tunnel, reaffirming the government’s commitment to establish a strong and efficient roadways, railways, airways, waterways and digital network in the region.

The Defence Minsiter said Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the decision to stay out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), keeping in mind the economic interests of the country, especially the Northeast. “You must have seen that during the ASEAN summit in Bangkok recently, our Prime Minister took a very important decision that India will not be a part of RCEP. Farmers, labourers, factories and industries would have got affected had India joined the RCEP. This is a big decision,” he said.

He added that the government’s focus on the Act East Policy would open new doors of rapid infrastructural development in the northeast, especially Arunachal Pradesh. He expressed confidence that just as the Sisseri River bridge would help the development of Lower Dibang Valley and East Siang, the strong infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh would also act as bridge between India and South-East Asian countries.

The Sisseri River bridge provides connectivity to Tinsukia via Dhola-Sadia bridge. It was constructed by Project Brahmank of Border Roads Organisation (BRO). This bridge is also strategically important from the military view point and will be a part of Trans Arunachal Highway.

Rajnath also commended BRO for constructing and maintaining roads and bridges in the border areas all over the country and meeting the strategic needs of the armed forces. There are four projects of BRO in the State namely Vartak, Arunank, Brahmank and Udayak working relentlessly to meet the strategic requirement of the nation and also immensely contributing in the socio-economic development of the region.

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Director General Border Roads Lt General Harpal Singh and Arunachal East Member of Parliament Shri Tapir Gao were also present on the occasion.

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