Aizawl, Feb 12: Mizoram’s sole Rajya Sabha MP, K Vanlalvena, on Thursday urged the Centre to expedite three critical road projects, including two along the Indo-Myanmar border, to strengthen national security and boost regional trade.

Speaking during the ongoing Budget session in the Assembly, Vanlalvena highlighted infrastructure gaps, including poor high-capacity road links to the Myanmar border and rising congestion on the Aizawl-Sairang highway.

He proposed designating two strategic routes from Hnahthial to Saisihchhuah in Lawngtlai district as national highways. These roads pass through key villages such as Tarpho, Cherhlun, Thingsai, Sangau, South Vanlaiphai, and Pangkhua before reaching the Myanmar border.

Vanlalvena noted that Myanmar completed a double-lane highway from Hakha in Chin state to Saisihchhuah in 2020. Despite Saisihchhuah being named an official border haat by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India currently lacks adequate road access for large-scale trade.

“Upgrading these routes to national highways is vital for the Act East Policy, national security, and economic growth among Mizoram’s tribal communities,” Vanlalvena said.

He also flagged the 21-km Aizawl-Sairang stretch on National Highway-6 (formerly NH-54), which is facing heavy traffic after the opening of Sairang railway station. Vanlalvena called for a four-lane expansion to ease congestion and meet growing logistics demands.