New Delhi: India is hopeful of building an airport in Tawang while the work on another airport at Pashighat in Arunachal Pradesh is underway, said Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh.
The government has plans to create a separate company in collaboration with the Indian Airlines to operate small aircrafts in the North East.
Speaking of the development model in the North East, Singh said Railways are being planned in the area, especially connecting the remote areas. The Railway budget for the region has been increased by 58%.
“In the early 1950s, a major earthquake took place and changed the course of Brahmaputra. The river bed also went up. We have to see how much water comes from China, and how much is contributed by its different tributaries like the Lohit,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, China has approved the construction of a railway line in Tibet that will come close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh.
The new strategically important high altitude line will cost China about $6 billion.
The official announcement about the construction came on Friday in the backdrop of India’s plans to improve the road network along the border regions of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as Southern Tibet.
Reacting to India’s plans to build 54 more border posts, the Chinese military spokesman Yang Yujun said that should shun moves that “may further complicate the situation” and do more to maintain peace in that area.
China and India have disputes over the eastern part of their border.
The line will link Tibet’s capital Lhasa to Nyingchi. Nyingchi is located right on top of Arunachal, the nearest area to the borders.