Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth about Rs 55,600 crore for the northeastern states of Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit North East’ programme held in Arunachal Pradesh’s state capital Itanagar.
The projects encompass sectors like rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, Information technology (IT), power, oil and gas, among others. Prime Minister Modi also dedicated the Sela Tunnel to the nation and launched the UNNATI scheme worth about Rs 10,000 crore in the same programme.
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Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi noted the ongoing national festival of ‘Viksit Bharat from Viksit Rajya.’
He acknowledged the new enthusiasm among the people of the ‘Northeast for Viksit Northeast.’ The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the support of ‘Nari Shakti’ for the initiative.
Reiterating his vision of ‘Ashtalakshmi’ for the development of the northeast, Prime Minister Modi called the region a strong link of tourism, business and cultural relations with South and Southeast Asia.
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Speaking on the development projects he inaugurated on Saturday, the Prime Minister said, “A total of 35,000 families of Arunachal Pradesh got their pucca houses, thousands of families in the frontier state and Tripura got piped water connections, and connectivity-related projects for many states of the region. These projects include education, roads, railways, infrastructure and hospitals. Tourism projects have come with a guarantee of a ‘Viksit Northeast.’ The allocation of funds in the last five years is four times higher than earlier.”
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the ‘Mission Palm Oil,’ a special campaign carried out by the Central government keeping in mind the northeastern region. He said that the first oil mill under this mission is being inaugurated today.
“Mission Palm Oil will make India ‘aatmanirbhar’ in the edible oil sector and boost the income of farmers. I express gratitude towards the farmers for taking up palm cultivation. The entire northeast can witness the meaning of ‘Modi ki guarantee’ with the development works being done here. The Sela Tunnel and the Donyi Polo Airport have been inaugurated. Whatever the time, month or year may be, Modi only works for the welfare of the nation and its people,” the Prime Minister said.
Referring to the recent Cabinet approval for the UNNATI scheme for the industrial development of the northeastern region in a new form and expanded scope, the Prime Minister underlined the working style of the government as the scheme was notified in one day and guidelines were issued.
He pointed out the push for modern infrastructure in the last 10 years, the implementation of about a dozen peace accords and the resolution of border disputes.
“The next step is the expansion of industry in the region. The Rs 10,000 crore UNNATI scheme will bring new possibilities for investment and jobs. Our focus is on startups, new technologies, homestays and tourism-related opportunities for the youth of the region,” the Prime Minister added.
Throwing light on the government’s priority to making the lives of women in the northeast easier, Prime Minister Modi mentioned the Rs 100 reduction in gas cylinder prices on the occasion of ‘International Women’s Day’ on Friday (March 8).
The Prime Minister also congratulated the entire team of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister for the remarkable work done to make tap water connections available to the citizens. He expressed delight in Arunachal Pradesh and the northeast leading the way in several development parameters.
Prime Minister Modi criticised the previous government for neglecting the development of the border villages. Referring to the Sela Tunnel, he reiterated his style of working as per the needs of the nation and not for electoral considerations.
The Prime Minister promised the defence personnel that he would come to meet them at this engineering marvel in his next term. He said that the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity and will improve the ease of travel for the people of Tawang.
“Work on many tunnels is going on in the region. Unlike the earlier approach, I have always considered the border villages as the ‘first villages’ and the ‘Vibrant Village Programme’ is an acknowledgement of this thinking. Today, road projects for about 125 villages commenced and foundation stones were laid for tourism-related projects in 150 villages. Problems of the most vulnerable and the most backward tribes are being addressed under the PM-JANMAN scheme. Today, foundation stones were laid for Anganwadi centers in Manipur for such tribes,” PM Modi added.
Prime Minister Modi underlined that development works related to connectivity and electricity make for ease of living and ease of doing business. Comparing the works done to boost connectivity since independence till 2014 with post-2014, the Prime Minister built 6,000 kilometres of highways in the last 10 years as compared to 10,000 kilometres in seven decades and laying 2,000 kilometres of rail lines.
In the power sector, the Prime Minister mentioned work commencing in the Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh and the Solar Power Project in Tripura today.
The Prime Minister said that the Dibang dam will be India’s highest dam. PM Modi while saying that every Indian is his family, assured them that he would not rest until necessities like a pucca house, free ration, clean drinking water, electricity, toilets, gas connection, free treatment and internet connection among others are met.