Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kicked off his two-day visit to the Northeast to inaugurate and lay the foundation for development projects reportedly valued at over Rs 35,000 crore across Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam.
Modi dedicated new infrastructure projects in Imphal, from the Rs 3,600 crore Manipur Urban Road Project to the Rs 500 crore Manipur Infotech Development Project. He said the initiatives would improve ease of living, create jobs and strengthen connectivity in the state.
Calling Imphal a "city of possibilities," Modi said the capital will open up opportunities for start-ups and SEZs, while helping youth achieve their aspirations. He underlined that women of Manipur are at the forefront of the state's economic growth, driving entrepreneurship and small businesses.
Modi also declared that the "21st century belongs to the North-East," adding that the Centre has prioritised Manipur's development. He noted that the state's growth rate was less than 1% before 2014, but is now expanding at a much faster pace.
Modi noted that for past 11 years efforts toward the development of Northeast have been taken and that the region is becoming the growth engine of India.
While inaugurating the Sairang-Bairabi rail link in Mizoram, he said, "This is a historic day for the nation and Mizoram. From today Aizawl will be on India's railway map. A few years ago I laid the foundation stone for Aizawl railway line and today we proudly dedicate it to the people of the nation. We overcame many challenges, including difficult terrains , inclement weather. For the first time, Mizoram will be connected directly to Delhi."
"With the Kaladan multi-model project Mizoram will be linked to bay of Bengal and South East India, and now this rail line will be linked to that, so Mizoram will be linking northeast to South East Asia and Mizoram will become a new gateway," he added.
Manipur is a vital pillar of India's progress. Addressing a programme during the launch of development initiatives in Churachandpur. https://t.co/1JENvDXOoE
"For a long time some political parties practice vote bank politics . There focus was on places which has more votes and seats, entire northeast including Mizoram suffered due to them. But our approach is different to those who were neglected and marginalised are mainstream now," PM Modi said.
This trip, is his first after the conflicts in the state of Manipur, since ethnic unrest began in 2023. According to official statements, the visit's focus in Mizoram was on connectivity, while in Manipur, it centered on crucial infrastructure and a meeting with internally displaced persons in both Churachandpur and Imphal.
Here are the updates:
-PM Modi in Churachandpur
Manipur is a border state, connectivity is a challenge here
Since 2014, my focus has been on connectivity of Manipur
We worked on two prongs - we increased the budget of rail and road infra
We built rural roads
On national highways of Manipur, Rs 3700 crore have been spent
Previously, reaching a village was difficult
Now many villages have road connectivity
We are expanding rail connectivity in Manipur
Very soon Imphal will get linked to national rail network
We are spending Rs 22,000 crore on the project
We will soon become 3rd largest economy and the developmental benefits will even reach here
- PM Modi addressed a programme in Manipur during the launch of development initiatives in Churachandpur.
-PM Modi met the internally displaced people and will shortly head to the peace round.
-PM Modi landed in Imphal.
-PM Modi after inaugurating the Sairang-Bairabi rail link, projects worth Rs 9,000 crore in Mizoram, has landed in Imphal.
- "With the Kaladan multi-model project Mizoram will be linked to bay of Bengal and South East India, and now this rail line will be linked to that, so Mizoram will be linking northeast to South East Asia and Mizoram will become a new gateway," Modi said.
- PM Modi has inaugurated the Sairang-Bairabi rail link, projects worth Rs 9,000 crore in Mizoram.
- Here are the 10 key points on Modi's Northeast visit:
1. Massive Development Outlay: The Prime Minister's tour includes a total development outlay of over Rs 36,000 crore for the three northeastern states.
2. Manipur Projects: In Manipur, he will lay the foundation for projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore and inaugurate completed works valued at over Rs 1,200 crore.
3. Mizoram Rail Connectivity: He will inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang rail line, connecting Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, to the Indian Railways network for the first time.
4. First Visit Since Unrest: The visit marks PM Modi's first trip to Manipur since the ethnic violence began in 2023.
5. Meeting with Displaced Persons: PM Modi will meet with internally displaced persons in both Churachandpur and Imphal, a gesture to address the humanitarian crisis.
6. Infrastructure: Projects in Manipur include urban roads, national highways, an Infotech Development Project, and working women's hostels.
7. New Train Services: Three new express trains, connecting Aizawl to Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata, will be flagged off to enhance regional connectivity.
8. Act East Policy: The projects serve the Centre's "Act East Policy" and aim to transform the region into an economic powerhouse.
9. Energy and Sports Infrastructure: In Mizoram, he will lay the foundation for a new LPG bottling plant and a "Khelo India" multipurpose indoor sports hall.
10. Post-Conflict Visit: The visit is an intervention and an outreach to states struggling to restore normalcy after conflicts.
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