Kohima/Agartala: In a development package for the Northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised to provide Rs 28,000 crore for laying new railway lines and announced sanctioning of Rs 5,000 crore for 2G mobile coverage in the region.
Wrapping up his three-day visit to the region, Modi also dedicated to the country a Rs 10,000-crore 750MW Palatana power project, an ONGC-Tripura government joint venture considered the biggest power plant in the region.
On the last day of his three-day visit to the region, the Prime Minister said in Kohima that the Centre has earmarked Rs 53,000 crore in the budget for the development of the Northeast and would focus on developing the “untapped” tourism potential of the region and laying of new railway lines for the purpose.
“So many tourists are coming here from other parts of the country and abroad. This is the best destination for tourists. But for that, we require connectivity. Unless we have road connectivity, rail connectivity, air connectivity, it is very difficult to develop tourism,” Modi said.
“For the development of this area and for the development of tourism, Rs 28,000 crore will be provided for a new railway-line project and 14 new railway lines,” he said while inaugurating Nagaland's biggest annual Hornbill festival in Kohima.
The Prime Minister also said the Centre had a comprehensive telecom development plan for the region.
In a lighter vein, Modi said as other places of the country have SEZs (Special Economic Zone), which are man-made, the Northeast has NEZ (Natural Economic Zone).
“I believe that the Hornbill Festival will improve the tourism sector in Nagaland and the people of India will be the beneficiary,” he said.
As energy is a lifeline for development, Rs 5000 crore has been sanctioned for the Northeastern region power system improvement project for six states, including Nagaland, the Prime Minister said.
“Our goal is 24X7, 365 days power supply and to achieve that we are focusing on the northeastern states.
“Nowadays, the infrastructure meaning has totally changed. Besides road and rail connectivity, we require digital connectivity. Internet connectivity is most required. Now the youth cannot stay without mobile phones, without Internet,” he said.
The Prime Minister said his government has also decided to set up a National Sports University in Manipur and six new agriculture colleges in the region.
“We have decided to set up six new agriculture colleges in the area. The NE region states could be the capital of organic agriculture in the country,” he said.
