Special visa counter at Imphal soon
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 05 2018:
In connection, with the land route which would be opened between India and Myanmar, a special visa counter would be opened shortly at Imphal.
Speaking to media persons at his Kwakeithel residence today, State Level Committee for Operationalization of Act East Policy (AEP) convenor RK Shivachandra said that an office of the committee is being constructed within the Secured Office complex, North AOC.
A special visa counter would be opened as soon as the construction of Office is completed, he said.
Visas would arrive at the Imphal counter from Kolkata within two/days after they have been sent.
At the moment, there is no visa on arrival facility for Myanmar citizens coming to India.
Yet, they can be issued e-visas, Shivachandra said.
A function would be held at Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, Tamu on August 8 and it would mark the opening of a land route between the two countries.
It would be a landmark moment which would prove to be the proverbial �Nongpok Thong Hangba�, he remarked.
There is no restriction on Myanmar citizens travelling to India provided they possess passports and visas.
But Indian citizens must obtain special permits at the cost of 60 Dollars from the Government of Myanmar's Ministry of Hotel and Tourism if they intend to travel to the neighbouring country.
Now all these inconveniences will become a thing of the past, he said.
He also lauded Chief Minister N Biren's role in bringing these new developments.
On the other hand, an official team of Myanmar's Sagaing State Government would visit the State from August 19 to 21 and a Manipur-Sagaing Development Committee would be formed during their visit.
While it is likely that the Government bf Myanmar may allot certain route for construction of a Land Route Trade Centre for NE India at Mandalay, plans are afoot to construct a guest house in Manipur for Buddhist monks travelling to Bodh Gaya from Myanmar, Shivachandra said.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would launch Imphal-Mandalay bus service once the ongoing construction of Integrated Check Post at Moreh'is completed.