Dispur feels improving the Nartap-Markong road connecting Sonapur will boost horticulture business

April 8: Dispur has identified the Nartap-Markong Road connecting Sonapur in the ci-ty with Meghalaya as the road of ?economic importance?.

An economic feasibility study carried out by the Guwahati road division of the PWD says the development of the road will bring economic progress in the suburban areas of the city bordering Meghalaya, which are rich in forest, agriculture and horticulture products.

The Nartap-Markong Road located near the eastern suburb of the city comes under the Dimoria block of Kamrup (metropolitan) district. The kutcha road, 5 km from National Highway 37, is 8 km long from Nartap till Markong village, bordering Meghalaya.

According to the study, in the areas through which the road passes have forest produce like timber (sal, teak, gamari and pine), horticulture and tea gardens, bamboo and rubber plantations and agricultural products such as betelnut, oranges, pineapples are grown in abundance.

?Better communication facilities will undoubtedly encourage the people to take up commercial cultivation on a large scale with the help of latest technical knowhow and surely ensure increase in production as well as industrial growth, especially the agro-based industries, in the entire belt, covering parts of both Assam and Meghalaya,? the PWD study said.

According top priority to the development of the road, the PWD has included it in the inter-state connectivity and economic importance project for the year 2005-06 and sought funds from the government for this purpose.

The Sonapur hill tract was once famous for its orange orchards with the fruit fetching premium rates in the markets. However, during the Seventies and Eighties, the orchards were wiped out primarily because of poor market prices as well as lack of interest among cultivators.

Considering the present day market demand for organic fruits ? both in the domestic and international markets ? the state government has covered 1,610 hectares of land under the first phase of the ?Sonapur orchard revival project?.

The project also includes lemon cultivation, covering another 578.7 hectares, since the area is suitable for both crops.

The economic feasibility study maintained that the improvement of the road will give a boost to economic activities in the stretches along the road leading to the socio-economic uplift of the people in the near future.

?The improvement of the road will not only develop the living conditions of the community but also pave the way for revenue generation for both Assam and Meghalaya,? the report, compiled by the chief engineer of PWD (roads), said.

The Nartap-Markong Road is the backbone of the residents of revenue villages like Nartap, Baruabari, Bandorgog, Bhakuagog, Lofer and Kakar.

The localities in the proximity of the road such as Dandri, Pithagog, Bichangshrok, Markong, Langdung and Barjhari will also benefit from the road.