Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ₹24,000 crore Shillong–Silchar corridor project and criticized the Indian National Congress for allegedly neglecting development in the Northeast for decades.
Speaking at an event in Silchar, Modi said that where “the thinking of Congress leaders stops, the work of his government begins.”
Congress Neglected Northeast for Decades: PM Modi
Addressing the gathering after the foundation stone ceremony, the Prime Minister said that for several decades after independence, Congress governments kept the Northeast India distant both from Delhi and from the national development agenda.
He said the region was largely ignored for years, whereas the double-engine government of the Bharatiya Janata Party has worked to strengthen connectivity and development in the Northeast.
According to Modi, the region has now become a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, acting as a bridge connecting India with Southeast Asia.
Questions Raised Over Development of Barak Valley
The Prime Minister also criticized Congress for the condition of the Barak Valley, claiming that the party played a role in its long-standing underdevelopment.
He said the boundary demarcation during independence cut off the valley’s direct connection to the sea, weakening a region that was once known as an important trade route and industrial centre.
Despite ruling the country for many years after independence, Modi said Congress governments failed to take significant steps for the valley’s development.
₹24,000 Crore Shillong–Silchar Corridor to Boost Connectivity
The Prime Minister said the newly launched Shillong–Silchar corridor, worth ₹24,000 crore, will significantly improve connectivity in the region.
He said the corridor will strengthen links between Silchar, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura, reducing travel time and boosting regional trade and economic activity.
Focus on Development of Border Villages
Modi said that giving priority to regions that were left behind in the development race is a key principle of his government.
He added that while earlier governments considered border settlements as the “last villages of the country,” his government treats them as the “first villages of India.”
Under this approach, the next phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme has been launched from Cachar district, which will help improve infrastructure and living conditions in several villages of the Barak Valley.
PM Targets Congress Over Farmers’ Welfare
The Prime Minister also accused Congress of failing to provide direct benefits to farmers during its long tenure.
He said the current government is continuously taking steps for farmers’ welfare and recently released the next installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi from Guwahati.
Assam Youth Now Have Greater Opportunities
Modi also alleged that earlier governments allowed violence and insurgency to affect the prospects of young people in Assam.
According to him, the situation has changed significantly, and today Assam’s youth have greater opportunities for growth, employment, and development.
