Khandu bats for foothill areas development 

Rijiju assures highway connectivity between Daporijo, Dollongmukh
DAPORIJO, Nov 14: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday attended a BJP mega party rally here along with Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, State BJP President Tapir Gao, Power Minister Tamiyo Taga, Horticulture Parliamentary Secretary Punji Mara, Dumporijo MLA Pakgna Bage, and several other top party functionaries.
During the occasion, several panchayat leaders from Congress and PPA joined the BJP. 
Gao formally welcomed the newly joined members among whom prominent were Zilla Chairperson Togam Leriak and ZPM Yokpo Baja, a CMO report said.
Eight ASMs joined the party representing Chikom Anchal Samity. From Nacho constituency, 6 ASMs and 9 others joined the BJP party including one ASM from Dumporijo constituency.  
Khandu addressing the gathering emphasized on development of foothill areas, reasoning that these places would become the centre for export of natural resources and agri-horti products. 
He said once the connectivity issues are addressed, these areas would lead the economy of the state. He informed that railway connectivity and east-west industrial corridor were being planned for development of connectivity in these foothill areas.
The chief minister said people have to stop demanding exorbitant rates for land compensation and urged the people to make way for development. Khandu particularly urged the party members to think for the nation first, then party and self last.
Khandu assured to take up the maintenance of 2.5 km road of Daporijo to Taliha road, a stretch that has been bypassed by ongoing construction of 2-lane highway. 
He said the matter would be taken up with ministry of defence for maintenance. Owing to lack of maintenance, this 2.5 km road had been in poor condition with deep waterlogged tracks that made plying of vehicle extremely difficult.
Taking note of the poor condition of the township roads, the chief minister suggested that Rs 15 crore an amount kept with district administration, which had remained unutilized after disbursement of land compensation be invested to repair roads. He also announced to grant another Rs 5 crore through state government for repair of township roads. 
Khandu further announced Rs 2 crore for infrastructure development of Gepen Circle office, which had remained almost non-functional due to lack of infrastructure since its inauguration in 2015.
Rijiju in his speech spoke on the connectivity issues of the district. He said the 2-lane highway from Potin will not bypass Daporijo Township and would be re-aligned across Subansiri river so that it touch the town. 
He also assured for direct highway connectivity from Daporijo to Dollongmukh towards Assam, which will be declared as national highway.
Deputy Chief Minister, State BJP President and Power Minister also spoke on the occasion. 
Earlier in the morning, the chief minister inaugurated the newly opened district BJP office at the Gandhi market, the report added.