New India can be built only when North East is developed : PM

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 9, 2019, visited Itanagar as a part of his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Tripura. He laid foundation of Greenfield Airport at Itanagar and Sela Tunnel. He launched DD Arun Prabha Channel. He also unveiled several other development projects in the state from IG Park, Itanagar. PM also inspected Loin Loom operations there.

Speaking on the occasion, the PM said that Arunachal is the land of rising sun. It’s the confidence of the country. He said, “Today I got opportunity to unveil projects worth more than Rs 4,000 crore.” Additional projects worth Rs 13,000 crore is in progress in the state, he added. He asked people to compare 55 months of his Government with 55 years of the previous Governments with respect to developmental activities in Arunachal Pradesh and other North Eastern states also.

The PM said that development did not happen at the pace it should  have. He said, “Previous government neglected Arunachal and we are here to change that.” He emphasised that New India can only built when North East India can be developed. Development is for uniting the regions and people, he added. He said, “Our government allocated Rs 44,000 crore funds to Arunachal which is double the amount provided by the previous governments.”

PM Modi laid the foundation of construction of Greenfield Airport at Hollongi and inaugurated retrofitted Tezu airport. The terminal at Hollongi will be constructed at a cost of Rs 955 crore with an area of 4,100 sq m and has peak  handling capacity of 200 passengers per hour. At present, only way to reach Itanagar by air is to get down at Guwahati Airport and travel either by road or by Helicopter service, he said.

He also said, “Tezu airport was built 50 years back but no government envisioned to connect people of this state with other parts of the country. We  expanded the airport by spending around Rs 125 crore for this small airport.” Tezu airport is ready to give services to the people of Arunachal, he added.

The PM laid the foundation of Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh. It will provide all weather connectivity to Tawang Valley and reduce the travel time to Tawang by an hour. It will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs  700 crore. He said that rail and road dual use bridge at bogibeel has brought Arunachal more closer to the mainland. the Government is working on almost Rs 1,000 crore worth of projects for improving connectivity of the state. He informed that in the last 2 years around 1000 villages have been connected through roads.  In an effort to connect all state capitals of North East states, Itanagar has also been connected with the Railways. Arunachal Express is running twice per week from Naharlagun.

PM Modi declared 100% household electrification in Arunachal Pradesh under Saubhagya scheme. He also dedicated 110 MW Pare Hydroelectric Plant in Arunachal Pradesh to the nation. “ Today 12 hydro electric projects of 110 MW were inaugurated which will not only help Arunachal Pradesh but also adjoining states,” he said.

He recalled, “ On February 8, 2019, I requested people to share their photos of north east visit. Within few seconds 1000s of photos were tweeted by the people including foreigners. The PM also inaugurated 50 health and wellness centers in Arunachal Pradesh. The PM said that through PM Kisan Saman Nidhi announced in the budget, those with less than 5 acre will get Rs 6,000 every year into their bank accounts in three instalments, according to a PIB release.