Aizawl: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Saturday that the Northeast region serves as a growth engine for India and has made significant progress over the past 11 years. During the inauguration of the 51.38-km Bairabi-Sairang railway project, he flagged off three new train services connecting Aizawl with Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati, while also laying the foundation stone and inaugurating several development projects totaling over Rs 9,000 crore. The Prime Minister remarked that the Northeast, previously regarded as a frontier state, has evolved into a front-runner. He highlighted that the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project would link Mizoram and other Northeastern states to the Bay of Bengal.
This project, a collaboration between India and Myanmar, aims to establish a multi-modal transport corridor connecting India’s eastern ports to the Northeast via Myanmar, using waterways and roads to circumvent the Siliguri Corridor. Modi noted that once the Kaladan project becomes operational, trade and tourism in the Northeast will significantly improve. He emphasized that these initiatives are part of India’s Act East Policy. The Prime Minister criticized previous political parties for engaging in vote bank politics that hindered the region’s development, asserting that his administration seeks peace and progress. He mentioned that infrastructure such as rail, road, air, and waterway connectivity has seen considerable enhancement and will continue to develop.
Additionally, he referenced GST reforms that have significantly reduced taxes on many products, easing the burden on the general public. Modi also highlighted the effectiveness of India’s armed forces during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ showcasing the nation’s military strength and reliance on domestically produced weapons. This visit marks PM Modi’s second trip to Mizoram since taking office in 2014. Following his time in Aizawl, he will travel to Churachandpur in Manipur and then to the state capital Imphal, where he will inaugurate 31 projects worth Rs 8,500 crore and address public gatherings.