With a message of peace and development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13 visited trouble-hit Manipur. Despite adverse weather conditions, thousands of people in both the Valley and hill of the State welcomed the PM.
PM Modi addressed two huge public rallies in Churachandpur and capital city Imphal. The PM said, “Manipur has immense potential. We must continuously strengthen dialogue to build a strong bridge of harmony between the hills and the Valley.”
Peace Will Prevail
Describing Manipur as the crown jewel on the crown of Mother India, PM Modi pointed out that the Government is working to ensure peace and stability in Manipur. “Netaji Subhash had called Manipur the gateway to India’s freedom. This land has given many brave martyrs. Our Government is moving forward taking inspiration from every such great personality of Manipur. We are working with the goal of making Manipur a symbol of peace, prosperity and progress.”
Go-ahead to Development Projects
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore at Churachandpur in Manipur. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Prime Minister termed the land of Manipur as a land of courage and determination. He described the hills of Manipur as a priceless gift of nature. He further stated that these hills also symbolise the continuous hard work of the people.
Saluting the spirit of the people of Manipur, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the people for coming in such large numbers and thanked them for their affection.
Delineating Meaning of Manipur
Highlighting that the culture, traditions, diversity and vibrancy of this region are a major strength of Bharat, PM Modi remarked that the very name Manipur contains the word “Mani,” symbolising a jewel that will enhance the brilliance of the entire North East in the times to come. The Prime Minister stated that the Government of India has consistently worked to accelerate Manipur’s development journey. He said that in this spirit, he had come among the people of Manipur today.
Fillip to Health & Education
PM Modi informed the gathering that projects worth approximately Rs 7,000 crore were inaugurated, which will improve the lives of the people of Manipur, especially the tribal communities living in the hills. He stated that the projects will create new facilities in health and education for the region and extended his heartfelt congratulations to the people of Manipur and Churachandpur on these new initiatives. “Establishing peace is essential for development in any region. Over the past eleven years, many long-standing conflicts and disputes in the North East have been resolved”, highlighted the Prime Minister. He remarked that people have chosen the path of peace and prioritised development.
PM Modi expressed satisfaction that recently, dialogue has taken place with various groups in the hills and Valley regions. He stated that these efforts are part of the Government of India’s approach, which emphasises dialogue, respect and mutual understanding to establish peace. The Prime Minister appealed to all organisations to move forward on the path of peace and fulfill their aspirations. He affirmed his support, stating that he stands with the people and that the Government of India is with Manipur.
Changemaker Brings Prosperity
Affirming that the Government of India is making every possible effort to bring life in Manipur back on track, PM Modi informed that the Government is providing support to build 7,000 new houses for families who have been displaced. The Prime Minister announced that a special package of approximately Rs 3,000 crore has recently been approved. He added that Rs 500 crore has been specially allocated to assist displaced individuals. “We are working with the goal of making Manipur a symbol of peace, prosperity and progress”, affirmed the Prime Minister. He concluded by assuring the people that for Manipur’s development, for the resettlement of displaced families, and for the establishment of peace, the Government of India will continue to support the Manipur Government in every possible way. Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla was present among other dignitaries at the event.
Inaugurating Rail Line in Mizoram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the same day, dedicated the much awaited Bairabi-Sairang New Railway Line connecting Mizoram with the rest of the country by rail connectivity. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Chhimtuipui River Bridge on the Lawngtlai–Siaha Road that will provide all-weather connectivity and reduce travel time, and 45 km Aizawl Bypass Road on the Western side, Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, Khankawn–Rongura Road, a 30 TMTPA LPG Bottling Plant by IOCL at Mualkhang and various other development projects. The bridge will also support cross-border commerce under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit framework. He also laid the foundation stone of Khelo India Multipurpose Indoor Hall to promote sports development.
The Prime Minister has dedicated to the nation the newly constructed Bairabi–Sairang railway line to the region. The project will deliver a significant milestone toward the “Act East Policy” of the Govt of India. The event also witnessed the flagging off of three important long-distance train services. They are the Rajdhani Express between Aizawl (Sairang) and Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal), an Express train connecting Aizawl (Sairang) with Guwahati, and another Express train linking Aizawl (Sairang) with Kolkata. He said this is not merely a railway connection but a lifeline of transformation that will revolutionise lives and livelihood. The PM further said Northeast was earlier ignored as it has only a few seats in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but today NE is at the forefront of India’s growth and development journey.
The 51.38 km long broad-gauge Bairabi – Sairang railway line has been constructed at an estimated cost of about Rs 8,070 crore. Built in challenging terrain, the alignment includes 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 88 minor bridges and 10 ROB/RUBs. Almost 54 per cent of the newly constructed line traverses through tunnels and bridges only. Among these, Bridge No. 144 is a remarkable engineering feat. With a pier height of 114 metres, it is taller than the Qutub Minar by 42 metres. The project has also added four new stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang and Sairang, connecting communities of the Aizawl and Kolasib districts along the route.
The new line extends railway connectivity from Bairabi, located on the Assam–Mizoram border, to Sairang near Aizawl, directly linking the state capital with the national railway network for the first time
The new line extends railway connectivity from Bairabi, located on the Assam–Mizoram border, to Sairang near Aizawl, directly linking the state capital with the national railway network for the first time. With this achievement, Aizawl becomes the fourth capital city in the North East to be connected by railways, following Guwahati, Agartala and Itanagar. The development is expected to transform travel and logistics in the region by ensuring faster, safer and more reliable movement of both passengers and goods.
First Bio-Refinary in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, inaugurated the world’s first 2nd generation Bio-ethanol Plant and laid foundation of Polypropylene Plant involving the project cost of Rs. 12,231 crore at Numaligarh in Golaghat district on September 14.
Relief to Bamboo Farmers in Assam
The world’s first bamboo-based bio-ethanol plant has been set up at Numaligarh Refinery with an investment of Rs. 5,000 crore. The PM also laid the foundation stone of the Polypropylene Project, to be built at a cost of Rs. 7,231 crore. The Prime Minister had a close look at every aspect of the bio-ethanol plant and interacted with the officials, employees, and bamboo farmers involved with it.
After the Central Government’s new agri policy, bamboo has been made an agricultural commodity from forest resources. By converting bamboo into ethanol, the Prime Minister has changed the lives of 50,000 bamboo farmers in Assam.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 19,000 crores in Assam which includes a 2.9 kilometers bridge over Brahmaputra connecting Darrang-Guwahati, Darrand Medical College, Guwahati city Ring Road.
