Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Northeast was “leading from the front in all sectors.” In an interview with The Assam Tribune ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, PM Modi said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has transformed the Northeast from an “abandoned region” to an “abundant region” and that it is now neither too far from Delhi, nor the heart of India.
“In the last 10 years, it is visible how we have ended the Northeast’s isolation and developed it as Bharat’s gateway to the East. I have visited the Northeast nearly 70 times, which is probably more than the total number of visits made by all the Prime Ministers before me. Since 2015, Union Ministers have visited the Northeast more than 680 times. We have changed the perception that the Northeast is far by taking governance at the doorstep of the people. Aaj Northeast Na Delhi se Door Hai Aur Na Dil se Door Hai,” PM Modi said.
Lashing out at the previous Congress governments at the Centre, PM Modi said, “For decades after Independence, the Northeastern states were relegated to the margins. Successive Congress governments gave step-motherly treatment to the people of the Northeast because for them the potential electoral gains in the region were too little. For them, the Northeast was too distant and working for its development was also difficult.”
PM Modi also highlighted the inauguration of Bogibeel Bridge, Bhupen Hazarika Setu and Sela Tunnel. “We fulfilled long-awaited critical connectivity projects such as Bogibeel Bridge and Bhupen Hazarika Setu that have eased people’s lives. Recently, I had the opportunity to inaugurate the Sela Tunnel, which has been built at a height of 13,000 ft. It will provide all-weather connectivity to the border areas,” the Prime Minister added.
Talking about progress in the fields of education and sports in the region, PM odi said, “Since 2014, more than Rs 14,000 crore has been spent to promote higher education in the Northeast. The country’s first Sports University has been opened in Manipur. We are building more than 200 Khelo India centres across the 8 states. More than 4,000 startups have emerged from this region in the last decade.”
On a question about insurgency in the Northeast, PM Modi explained how his government has made efforts to deal with the issue “while ensuring that common people are embraced with great care and compassion.”
“A total of 11 peace agreements have been signed in the last 10 years. This is unprecedented progress unseen under any previous government. More than 9,500 insurgents have surrendered since 2014 and joined the mainstream of the society. Due to the relentless efforts of our government, the entire Northeast is now witnessing a significant improvement in the security situation since 2014,” he said.
Talking about steps being taken to improve communication in the Northeast, PM Modi said, “Today, the Northeast is seeing improved infrastructure connectivity, whether it is roadways or railways, airways or waterways. Even in the remotest corners of the region, 5G connectivity is being established. Border villages are now part of the Vibrant Villages Program, demonstrating how last-mile connectivity is reaching the unreached.”
The Northeast states Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim will vote on April 19, 26, and May 7 in Lok Sabha polls.
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