Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched and inaugurated several development projects in Assam’s Kokrajhar totaling more than Rs 4,570 crore through a virtual ceremony.
Addressing the gathering from Guwahati, he said the government is focused on the overall development of the Bodo Territorial Council area, with Rs 1,500 crore allocated for rapid progress. His scheduled visit to Kokrajhar was cancelled due to adverse weather.
The Prime Minister noted that the Bodo region, which experienced years of violence, is now moving toward stability and growth. He appreciated the young people who laid down arms and joined mainstream society and stated that the government has officially recognized the community’s cultural and religious heritage.
Modi criticized the Congress party for neglecting Bodoland in the past, pointing out that the BJP-led NDA government is actively promoting development and peace in the region. He added that the government is correcting past mistakes and working to ensure progress for local communities.
During the event, several projects were inaugurated or had their foundations laid. These included a road infrastructure program under Assam Mala 3.0, four flyovers, two bridges in the BTC area, and a railway Periodic Overhauling Workshop at Basbari, Kokrajhar.
Modi also flagged off three new trains: the Kamakhya-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, the Guwahati-New Jalpaiguri Express, and the Narangi-Agartala Express. Foundations were also laid for 36 new bridges across 34 districts of Assam.
In Guwahati, Modi performed Bhoomi Poojan, inaugurated projects worth Rs 19,680 crore, handed over land pattas to eligible tea garden workers, and dedicated the 150 MW Kopili Hydropower Project.
He inaugurated the Capacity Enhancement Project of the Numaligarh-Siliguri Product Pipeline of Oil India Limited, which will expand the Numaligarh Refinery from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA. Phase 1 of the North East Gas Grid was also launched, connecting Guwahati with Numaligarh, Gohpur, Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), and a branch line to Dimapur, Nagaland.
Modi also laid the foundation for the Numaligarh Rail-Fed POL Terminal at Panchgram, Hailakandi district, strengthening energy infrastructure in the Northeast.
The Prime Minister dedicated major railway electrification projects, including Rangiya-Murkongselek, Chaparmukh-Dibrugarh, Badarpur-Silchar, and Badarpur-Churaibari lines, and initiated the Furkating-Tinsukia doubling project.
In the waterways sector, he laid foundation stones for cruise terminals at Bishwanath Ghat (Biswanath district) and Neamati (Jorhat district) and performed Bhoomi Poojan for the Regional Centre of Excellence at Bogibeel, Dibrugarh, a maritime training and research hub. The Pandu Jetty–NH-27 approach road in Guwahati was also inaugurated.
Modi also inaugurated the PM Ekta Mall and released the 22nd installment of the PM-KISAN scheme, transferring Rs 2,000 directly into the bank accounts of over 9.3 crore farmers across India.
He will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects worth Rs 23,550 crore in Silchar on Saturday, boosting development across Assam.