Kalam urged to reopen Stillwell Road to Reach Burma

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

March 28, 2005

Guwahati: Pursuing to reach the Burma market in the wake of improved bilateral relation, Indian Minister of state for external Affairs Bijay Krishna Handique has submitted a memorandum to President APJ Abdul Kalam for reopening of the famous Stilwell Road which connects India, Burma and China.

Handique called on the Indian President and sought his intervention for reopening of the 1040-mile transnational road, originating from Ledo in Assam in the North-East India and passing through Burma to connect Kunming of China.

The half-an-hour discussion between the President and Handique laid emphasis on taking early steps on clearing the route, which will help explore the Burma market.

Constructed during the World Ware 11, Stilwell Road covers a stretch of 38 miles on the Indian side to pass through Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. About 50 per cent of this stretch has been repaired with the active initiative of Assam and the Arunachal Pradesh Governments. Now the trade bodies have been demanding repairing of the rest.

In 1998, seven states of the North-East India had taken a joint proposal for opening of the Stilwell Road.But it was turned down by the Indian Home Ministry because of growing insurgency problem in the region.

The road runs through areas dominated by major militant groups like United National Liberation Front Of Asom (ULFA) and  National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Issac Muiva (NSCN-IM).

However, in view of the recent progress in Indo-Burma relation, the Indian government is understood to have given a rethink to the proposal. The Indian Commerce Ministry has already completed its feasibility study on the Indian side of the road. The major  trade bodies of India, including Confederation Indian Industry(CII), Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Indo-Myanmar Traders Union, have  been requesting the Home Ministry for giving early clearance.

Meanwhile, India Customs department has already taken steps for setting up of a customs point at Pangsau Pass so that traders can take advantage of it.