Azing Pertin
ITANAGAR, Dec 16: Even though it is seventeen years now that the much-hyped Look-East Policy had been visualized and set rolling by the Centre, ostensibly to push North-east on to the high road of development but Arunachal Pradesh is yet to capitalize on it.
The then Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, who visited the State in November 2004, had emphasized the need for intensive development of cross-border infrastructure to promote border trade in Arunachal Pradesh. This was on a positive note as the State government was already demanding to open up the borders with neighboring countries for trade. The initiative for setting up border trade points has been a pragmatic approach by the Government which can bring in the long elusive progress badly needed by the State.
But unfortunately, very little has been done in this regard so far.
Sources at the Trade and Commerce department informed The Sentinel that a feasibility plan for border trade and setting up of border points have always been in the pipeline, which, however, is awaiting a survey for feasibility that is to be outsourced to a consultancy firm from outside the State.
Landlocked Arunachal Pradesh shares 1680 kms of international border with China, Myanmar and Bhutan. Traditional trade with these countries along the international border prevailed since ages. The State government has identified the traditional trading points at Nampong through Pangsu pass in Changlang district, Kibitoo in Lohit, Gelling through Kepangla pass in Upper Siang, Bleeting, Bongkar and Bumla in Tawang for setting up Land Custom Stations to facilitate trade in a major way across the border. As a first step, it had suggested development of Nampong in Changlang and Bleeting in Tawang into major trading centres. In fact, infrastructures were also developed at these two places as per the recommendation of a team from the Centre, which included representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Department of Customs and Central Excise.
The Land Custom Station (LCS) at Nampong lying on the historic Stillwell Road exists since 1950. There are provisions for lodging and setting up shops for traders from Myanmar at the station. On the Myanmar border at Pangsu pass, which is about 20 kms from Nampong, trading is allowed from both sides on 15th and 30th of every month. The goods and commodities traded are mostly local farm produce like vegetables, rice and other essential commodities like medicines, cement, CGI tin sheets etc. Though the volume of trade flow is very low, it is a promising sign for the days ahead for the people from both sides involved in the trade. The connectivity of Nampong through an all-weather road with NH153 is an important factor on the Indian side. This key link into Myanmar, if developed, and would open up South East Asia and become a gateway to the Far-East for India. And Arunachal Pradesh lying on the threshold of the link could have lot to gain.
The State Government had proposed Dongshengmang under Bleeting circle of Tawang district to be declared as LCS as early as possible for border trade with Bhutan due to its location and availability of land. Traditionally people of Bhutan and India in Bleeting have trade relations since time immemorial. The Government envisages that apart from commercial benefits, opening up border trade would also increase tourist flow to Tawang and the region. Similarly, proposals are also there for reviving the traditional trade with China (Tibet) at points like Bumla, Gelling, Mechuka etc.
Unfortunately, these proposals are groping in wilderness making no headway. Sources in the Government accept the fact but refuse to take the blame. Unless the Government musters up a strong political will, these would remain just a pipe dream and deprive the State of the benefits of trade and commerce that would have certainly accrued to it. THE SENTINEL
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