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Journalism of Courage
Imphal as an international flight hub is a great idea. But Northeast still awaits a robust transit infrastructure
If all goes according to plan,the upgrade of the Imphal and Agartala airports to international status will help end the physical isolation of Indias landlocked Northeast. Currently,Guwahati is the lone international airport in the eight northeastern states,including Sikkim. Given the regions dire need for better connectivity with the rest of India and neighbouring countries an integrated airports development project that upgrades and connects the dozen or so northeastern airports,including Bagdogra in West Bengal,will help build Imphal into a regional hub for international flights to Southeast Asia,and facilitate domestic movement and commerce. Road and rail connectivity for the economically deprived Northeast has remained a festering absence since Independence.
Imphal is a good choice for the hub,given Manipurs close links with Myanmar Indias only gateway to ASEAN states by land. But to develop the region,its linking with Myanmars Sittwe port,via NH 54 and the Kaladan river,and with Bangladeshs Chittagong port,must be speeded up. As should connecting Manipur with the trans-Asian highway system and the Imphal-Mandalay bus service. The long-awaited rail corridor through Bangladesh would reduce the distance between Kolkata and Agartala to 550 km from 1,700 km. The needs of the Northeast necessitate integrated,long-term thinking. The Imphal hub cannot be an exception.
