Mizoram to be gateway to S-E Asia: PM Modi

Aizawl: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Act East Policy of his government would soon make Mizoram the gateway to the South East Asian countries. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, linking Aizawl with the Sittwe port in Myanmar, would provide wide-ranging benefits for the state, he said.

The development of the Rih-Tiddim road and establishment of numerous rural "haat" (flee markets) along the Mizoram- Myanmar border would also increase the trade volume, Modi said while addressing a public meeting at the Assam Rifles ground here after inaugurating the 60-MW Tuirial hydro-electric power project.

The high literacy rate, presence of a large number of English-speaking people and good hospitality could transform Mizoram into a model tourist destination, he said, adding that the Centre was committed to linking all the state capitals in the north-east by rail. Talking of infrastructure schemes in the region, the prime minister said the Centre had launched the North East Special Infrastructure Scheme (NESIS) to fill in the gaps in the basic facilities.