NE is now not far from ‘Dil’ and ‘Dilli’: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the North East was no longer distant from the nation’s heart or the national capital, as he dedicated two new Amrit Bharat Express trains from Assam to other parts of the country at Koliabor.
Stating that the region’s greatest challenge for decades had been distance—both physical and emotional—Modi said people of the North East long felt development was happening elsewhere, leaving them behind and eroding trust. He asserted that this perception had changed under the present dispensation, with the Union and state governments prioritising the region’s development.
Modi said simultaneous efforts were undertaken to improve connectivity in Assam through roadways, railways, airways and waterways. Emphasising the importance of rail connectivity for social and economic growth, especially in the North East, Modi criticised the Congress for neglecting the sector, noting that Assam received only about Rs. 2,000 crore annually for railways during its tenure at the Centre. In contrast, he said, the allocation had increased nearly five-fold to around Rs. 10,000 crore per year under the current government.
He said the enhanced investment had resulted in large-scale railway infrastructure development, including new lines, doubling and electrification projects, which in turn improved capacity and passenger facilities. Modi announced the launch of three new train services from Koliabor, describing it as a major expansion of Assam’s rail network.
He said the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train would connect Guwahati with Kolkata, offering greater comfort for long-distance travellers, while two Amrit Bharat Express trains would serve key stations across Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, benefiting lakhs of passengers.
Modi said the improved connectivity would link Assam’s traders to new markets, help students access educational opportunities and make travel across regions easier. He added that Assam’s progress was opening new avenues for the entire North East and strengthening the Act East Policy.