PM lays foundation, inaugurates multiple projects
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 09 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Viksit Bharat Viksit North East Programme in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on Saturday where he inaugurated and dedicated multiple development projects worth approximately Rs 55,600 crore across Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Among main highlights of the programme included inauguration of Sela Tunnel and launch of the UNNATI scheme, valued at around Rs 10,000 crore.

The projects span various sectors such as rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, IT, power, and oil and gas.

The Prime Minister emphasised his vision of 'Ashtalakshmi' for Northeast development and highlighted the government s efforts to enhance connectivity, improve infrastructure, and boost industry in the region.

Additionally, he underscored initiatives targeting women's welfare, such as reducing gas cylinder prices and providing tap water connections.

The Prime Minister also addressed the neglect of border villages, promising continued focus on their development.

He pledged to prioritise the needs of the nation over electoral considerations and assured the citizens of his commitment to fulfilling their basic necessities.

The event concluded with a symbolic display of solidarity as attendees illuminated their mobile phones, signifying unity and strength in the journey of development.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3400 crore in Manipur.

The important projects whose foundation stones were laid included construction of Unity Mall at Nilakuthi; development of infrastructure for the Processing Zone of Manipur IT SEZ at Mantripukhri; construction of a 60-bedded state mental hospital at Lamphelpat to provide specialised psychiatric care; and development of infrastructure for Manipur Technical University, Imphal West.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated various road projects and several water supply schemes, among other projects.

Meanwhile, addressing a formal function held at City Convention Centre, here, in the morning in connection with the Prime Minister's Itanagar programme, Chief Minister N Biren said that the country, especially the North Eastern States have witnessed a big change since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country.

Biren highlighted the projects virtually inaugurated and foundation stones laid by the Prime Minister.

He said for Manipur, the projects amounting to approximately Rs 3500 crore included foundation stones for 36 projects for a total amount of around Rs 1748 crore and 45 projects with a total amount of around Rs 1703 crore.

Underscoring the importance of the foundation stone laid for a Unity Mall at a project cost of Rs 149 crore, the CM said that the Unity Mall will have separate stalls for all recognised communities in the state.

Further stating that it is an important project which was proposed by the state government, the Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving it.

Biren also thanked the Prime Minister for laying the foundation for Development of Maternity and Child Hospital.

He said the projects also include infrastructural development for Manipur Technical University at a project cost of Rs 54 crore and it will be beneficial to the youth.

He also highlighted infrastructural development of the Processing Zone of IT SEZ.

He said that the Prime Minister had suggested laying special focus on sports to divert the youth from drugs which has led to ideas like One Village, One ground (Khungang Ama Sanabung Ama).

Foundation stones for football grounds with natural grass at seven different locations were also laid.

Other projects for which foundation stones were laid included school infrastructure development, two road projects under NESIDS, two national highway projects (Imphal-Jiribam, Ukhrul-Taloi-Tadubi) and four bridges under Setu Bandhan, he added.

Projects which were inaugurated included two roads under CRIF, water supply schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission, craft handloom village at Moirang, four National Highway projects (Imphal-Moreh; Tamenglong-Khongsang; Maram-Peren; Churachandpur-Tuivai) .

He also clarified that craft handloom village project was first sanctioned in the village of Mirabai Chanu but the project is yet to be completed.

Highlighting the plight of Sangai, Biren observed the need to preserve and protect nature and the environment.

He said that people should understand that people depend on nature to survive and that it is not nature that depends on humans to survive.

He also stressed on the rejuvenation work of Lamphelpat and said that today a lot of environmental changes like arrival of migratory birds have been witnessed in the area.

He pointed out the need to develop and preserve more water bodies in the State.

Biren said that after Modi became the Prime Minister, many chronic issues which were witnessed in Northeast especially Manipur have been solved and it provided a sense of security to the people.

He highlighted the implementation of Inner Line Permit in the state by the Modi government.

He also highlighted the Centre's decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime, concern for border fencing and said that the people should appreciate the positive steps taken up by the Centre.

The formal function held at City Convention Centre was also attended by Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Dr RK Ranjan, Rajya Sabha Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, ministers Th Biswajit, Awangbou Newmai, Dr S Ranjan, Th Basanta Kumar, Govindas Konthoujam, Khasim Vashum, Y Khemchand, L Susildro, H Dingo, MLAs, chief secretary Vineet Joshi, DGP Rajiv Singh, senior administrative and police officers, among others.

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