NewzVille Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched various development projects worth 23,550 crore rupees from Silchar in Assam today. He performed the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ or ground breaking ceremony for three projects at Ambikapur in Silchar. These are, Silchar High-Speed Corridor at a projected cost of 22 thousand 8 hundred and 64 crore rupees, Silchar Town Flyover at a projected cost of approximately 565 crore rupees, and the Patharkandi Agricultural College at a projected cost of one hundred 22 crore rupees.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said, southern Assam’s Barak Valley is emerging as a crucial bridge to connect India with Southeast Asia, while accusing the Congress of neglecting the region for decades after Independence.
He said that North East is now leading India’s Act East Policy. Addressing the public gathering in Silchar, the Prime Minister said the Barak Valley once served as an important trade centre but lost its strategic advantage due to decisions taken during the Congress era.
He alleged that despite ruling the country and the state for decades, the Congress failed to focus on the development of Barak Valley.
Highlighting infrastructure development, PM Modi said a historic step was taken with the foundation stone being laid for the Silchar-Shillong high-speed corridor. The project will be the first access-controlled high-speed expressway in the Northeast.
He said, the 166 km corridor, with an investment of around 22 thousand 860 crore rupees, will significantly improve connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam. Prime Minister said, the project will reduce the distance between Guwahati and Silchar and cut travel time from 8.5 hours to approximately 5 hours, boosting economic growth and cross-border trade in the region.
Modi said, Elevated Corridor on NH-306 from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar (Phase-I) will decongest one of Silchar’s busiest roads, improve connectivity with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, and contribute to the economic development of the Barak Valley.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a new College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Karimganj district. The institution will strengthen the ecosystem of agricultural education and research in Assam and provide students from the Barak Valley and neighbouring regions access to high-quality agricultural education closer to home.
