North East region now nation’s growth engine, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the northeastern region earlier suffered heavily due to ‘vote bank’ politics, but is now being transformed into the country’s growth engine due to efforts of the BJP-led government at the Centre.
During his second visit to Mizoram after becoming the Prime Minister in 2014, Modi launched projects worth Rs 9,000 crore, and addressed a public rally virtually from Lengpui Airport near Aizawl as he could not reach the venue, Lammual Ground in the heart of the city, due to heavy rain.
Modi also flagged off the maiden Rajdhani Express between Aizawl and Delhi and other strategic projects to augment rail, highways, energy and sports infrastructure.
“For a long time, some political parties in our country practiced vote-bank politics. Their focus was always on places that had more votes and seats. The entire Northeast, including states like Mizoram, suffered greatly because of this attitude.
“But our approach is very different — those who were earlier neglected are at the forefront now. Those who were once marginalised are now in the mainstream. For the past 11 years, we have been working for the development of the Northeast, and the region is becoming the growth engine of India,” the PM said.
He said Mizoram plays a major role in the Centre’s ‘Act East’ policy and the Kaladan multimodal transit project and railway lines will connect the state with Southeast Asia.
Unveiling the Rs 8,070-crore Bairabi-Sairang line, which integrated landlocked Mizoram fully with the country’s railway network, the PM said it was a historic day for the state as the 51.38-km-long stretch would connect the state capital Aizawl with major metropolises.
He said the project, which was implemented by overcoming various challenges and difficult terrains, would revolutionise people’s lives in the state and become a lifeline for transportation.
The PM also flagged off three new express trains connecting Aizawl with Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata. The Centre has worked towards ensuring all-round connectivity in the Northeast — be it internet, power, infrastructure or through air, he said.
The PM said that the Northeast is becoming a major hub for entrepreneurship, with 4,500 startups and 25 incubators operating in the region.
Governor V K Singh, Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present at Lammual Ground.
Modi also laid the foundation stone of multiple road projects, including Aizawl Bypass Road, Thenzawl-Sialsuk Road and Khankawn-Rongura Road.
The 45-km Aizawl Bypass Road, worth over Rs 500 crore, aims to decongest Aizawl, improve connectivity to Lunglei, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lengpui Airport, and Sairang railway station, among others.