Poor connectivity, NE and new-found investments
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 15 2016 -

Though known for its poor infrastructure all along, many infrastructure projects are coming up in the North East region including Manipur since the past few years. Not only the Government of India, even the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and many multi-national companies have shown keen interests to take up infrastructure projects in the region.

Yet, the region is still plagued by poor connectivity. The situation is even more precarious for Manipur where only two national highways exist, one of which is unreliable most of the year.

It has been decades since BRO took over Imphal-Jiribam highway but the highway which is actually a misnomer is still under construction. Yes, ImphalDimapur highway is relatively better but it is not secure at all.

In spite of its pathetic condition and unreliability, the Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC), one of the apex transporters’ body, has been taking Imphal-Jiribam highway for transportation of goods citing insecurity and frequent harassment of drivers/transporters along Imphal-Dimapur highway by unlawful elements.

Notwithstanding such abysmal state of connectivity, the North East region, particularly Manipur has been projected as India’s gateway to South East Asia and beyond. In sync with India’s Look East Policy (now Act East Policy), many highway projects have been sanctioned by the Government of India and many financial agencies like World Bank and ADB have offered to invest in the State.

In fact, they have already started investing in the region. The latest reports say that two more highways; one connecting Heirok to Moreh via Machi and another connecting Imphal with Kohima in Nagaland would be constructed.

These are in addition to the existing Imphal-Kohima and Imphal-Moreh highways. Most people would welcome construction of highways and for that matter improvement of connectivity through any medium.

At the same time, we cannot help asking what evokes the Government of India and multi-national corporate houses to take such a keen interest in the region which was hitherto left neglected, abandoned and marginalised for a prolonged period.

No doubt, the answer lies in the strategic location of the region which straddles the interface between Indian sub-continent and South East Asia.

There may be compelling factors embedded in geo-politics for the Government of India to show unprecedented interest in the affairs of the region but for the multinational corporate houses, it is commercial interests which focus their attention on the region.

Modernization and infrastructure development projects would certainly entail expansion and extension of roads, establishment of transport facilities, destruction of forests, land acquisition and possibly eviction.

In short, for the North East region, everything is at stake. Notwithstanding all the benefits and prospects of modernization projects which are parts and parcels of the massive force of globalization, the region is being pounded by a good number of challenges on different fronts including culture, demographic profile, environmental pollution, social security, economic exploitation, enhanced militarization, et al.

One pertinent question that arises at this point is, how well prepared are the State Government and the people of Manipur to face the all pervasive changes and the challenges they posed.

Yes, we need modern infrastructure and good connectivity and we must also get a fair share of profits that would be earned from all the investments being made in the region.

It must be very clear that all the investments being made in the region are driven by commercial interests and they are not all any act of charity.