Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the rally from Guwahati on Saturday.
The India Myanmar Thailand (IMT) car rally would go a long way in improving communication and trade with the north east region's immediate neighbours Myanmar and Thailand, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said in Guwahati today.
"The IMT rally will help realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Act East' policy by promoting connectivity and building common historical linkages in the region," he said after flagging off the rally participants.
There is tremendous potential to develop the NE region through focused activity in sectors like education, health, skill development and tourism, and linking the region with its South East Asian neighbours, he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state government's initiative to develop state infrastructure as well as work on Brahmaputra river to use it effectively as a waterway connecting the region.
Sonowal announced that the state government would organise a Brahmaputra Festival, integrating the traditional sports and culture with modern facilities to enhance economic development in April next year.
The IMT car rally has been organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Kalinga Motor Sports Club (KMSC), Bhubaneshwar and is supported by the Ministries of Road Transport and Highways, Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Petroleum and Natural Gas and External Affairs.
The rally, comprising 21 vehicles and 70 participants, began its 5,722 km journey from New Delhi on November 13 and travelled through Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Patna and Siliguri to reach Guwahati on November 18.
The rally is scheduled to travel through the north-eastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur and enter Myanmar through the Moreh point.
It will culminate at Bangkok on December 3.