Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday said that the state government would appeal the Centre for developing Indo-Bangladesh border at Karimganj in lines with Indo-Pakistan border at Wagah.
The CM said that this would help in attracting tourists apart from promoting nationalistic sentiment.
The CM said this during the discussion on Faster Socio-Economic development of Barak valley as part of the Speaker’s Initiative at Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday.
Sonowal paid rich tributes to the Karimganj martyrs of the sepoy mutiny.
Commemorating their contributions, Sonowal said that the state government would send a proposal to the Centre for developing the border in Karimganj in lines with the Wagah border.
“The state government is committed for the equal development of Brahmaputra and Barak valley and several steps have been taken to boost brotherhood amongst the people living in the districts of both the valleys,” Sonowal said.
Stating that the state government is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas”, Sonowal said that steps had already been taken to build up the confidence of the Barak valley people and to explore valley’s vast potential.
He said that as a sequel to Namami Brahmaputra Festival, the state government organized Namami Barak festival covering all the three districts of the valley, which showcased its natural resources, heritage and culture.
“The initiative also helped the people to discover the rich potential of Barak valley,” he added.
Saying that there was a sense of alienation amongst the people of Barak Valley earlier, Chief Minister said that people of the entire state must internalise the feelings, aspirations, suffering and pains of the people of the valley to foster better camaraderie and bonhomie.
“Such an approach would not only strengthen the bond but also act as a catalyst in building a strong and vibrant Assam,” he observed.
Underlining the state government initiatives to unleash a new era of development in Barak Valley, the Chief Minister said that already steps have been taken to set up a mini secretariat at Silchar.
“Efforts are afoot to set up another airport at Barak Valley to boost the economic growth of the state,” he added.