Thursday, February 16 2006 12:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Observing that Government has taken a number of measures for Northeastern people's welfare, President A P J Abdul Kalam said today (Feb 16 2006) that particular emphasis will be given to the border areas in the region for infrastructure and road development.

"Almost Rs 10,000 crore of investment is being made at Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh and in Tripura in thermal power projects using local coal and gas," he told a joint sitting of Parliament on the first day of the Budget Session.

Kalam told MPs of both Houses that particular emphasis would be given to the border areas, especially Arunachal Pradesh, for infrastructure and road development.

"The accelerated North-East Road Development project is under consideration, which will provide connectivity to state capitals and district headquarters in the North East, and include upgradation of such other stretches of national and state highways which are critical for the economic development of the region," the President said.