Tawang strategically important place: Sitharaman

Itanagar, Aug 17 (PTI) Union Minister for Commerce andIndustry Nirmala Sitharaman today said the picturesque Tawangdistrict in Arunachal Pradesh bordering China was a veryimportant place strategically. "Tawang is a very important place from both religiousand strategic points of view. It reminds us of the 1962Indo-China war," the minister said while assuring all possiblehelp from her side for development of the border district, anofficial communique informed. The minister, accompanied by Minister of State forHome Kiren Rijiju reached Tawang today to attend a specialprogramme at Lumla tomorrow on the occasion of Rakshabandhan. During the programme, which is an attempt on the partof the Centre to connect with borders and its forces, theminister would be tying rakhi to the Jawans of the IndianArmy. The ministers, accompanied by Tawang MLA TseringTashi, DC and SP visited Tawang War Memorial and TawangMonastery and later interacted with the heads of departmentsand public leaders. During the meeting, the MLA and the DC apprised thevisiting ministers of the fragile topography of the area thathas resulted in numerous landslides in the recent monthscausing loss of lives and properties due to which manyvillagers had to be shifted to safer locations. Further, highlighting on the present road condition inborder areas, the MLA informed that the road has badlyhampered the inflow of tourists and also reflected on thedifficulties faced in evacuating the passengers/patientsduring emergency. Rijiju, while taking note of the problems said that aninspection of the BRO road from Dirang to Tawang would soon beconducted accompanied by the DG, BRO and that he would alsolook into the widening of road from Tenga to Pinji Bridgeunder Bhalukpong circle. He said that in spite of hurdles he would also pressfor early clearance of Lumla-Tashigang road via Bhutan. Rijiju while informing about the steps being taken forrestoration of the damages caused by the landslides furtheradded that long-term planning which is the need of the hourwould be taken into account, the communique added. PTI UPL SUSRG