PM says new train, power projects to boost connectivity to NE

Itanagar, Feb 20: Blaming poor connectivity for under-development of the North East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the Centre was working in tandem with the states of the region to remove bottlenecks in development.

Modi, who flagged off two trains and laid the foundation of a power project, said "Arunachal Pradesh is getting both ‘gati’ (momentum) and ‘urja’ (energy) today." The projects being launched today would boost connectivity and provide electricity, which would in turn become strong weapons in the fight against poverty which can't be done on the basis of mere slogans, Modi said after formally bringing Arunachal in the railway map of the country.

"Ministers and senior officers of the Centre are working in tandem with the North-East states to remove bottlenecks in development," he said. "India will grow if Arunachal grows," Modi said.

The PM flagged off through remote control the AC Express Train between Naharlagun and New Delhi and the Intercity Express between Naharlagun and Guwahati besides dedicating to nation the 21.75 km long broad gauge railway track between Naharlagun in Arunachal and Harmuti in Assam’s Lakhimpur district.

He also laid the foundation stone of a 132 KV power transmission and distribution system project and unveiled the Itanagar Water Supply project. Describing the new trains as a "special gift" to the people of the state on the occasion of 29th Statehood Day, Modi said that with the new train linking the state capital and the national capital, tourism industry would flourish soon enabling visitors from different parts of country.

Referring to the immense hydel power potential of the state, the Prime Minister cited the examples of how Nepal and Bhutan were harnessing hydropower to transform their economy, and how Himachal Pradesh had done the same for country. He said Arunachal Pradesh could provide electricity to the entire country and called for development of the state's hydel potential, simultaneously giving proper compensation to people who get displaced by hydro projects.

PTI