On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said southern Assam’s Barak Valley is emerging as a vital bridge connecting India with Southeast Asia and alleged that the Indian National Congress had neglected the region for decades.
Addressing a public gathering in Silchar, the Prime Minister said Barak Valley had historically been an important trade centre but lost its strategic advantage after Independence due to decisions taken during the Congress era.
According to him, changes in boundaries cut the region off from its traditional sea routes, weakening its economic strength.
PM Modi alleged that despite ruling the country and the state for several decades, the Congress failed to prioritise the development of the Barak Valley.
He said the current ‘double-engine government’ is working with commitment to transform the region and unlock its economic potential.
Highlighting infrastructure development, the Prime Minister said the government has laid the foundation stone for the Silchar–Shillong high-speed corridor.
Built at a cost of over ₹24,000 crore, the project will be the Northeast’s first access-controlled high-speed expressway.
PM Modi said the corridor will improve connectivity and accelerate development across the region.
He added that it will strengthen links between Assam and neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, boosting trade, tourism and economic activity, while helping Barak Valley emerge as a hub connecting India with Southeast Asia.
The Prime Minister also said more than 2,500 km of railway lines in the Northeast have been electrified and added that railway lines in the Barak Valley will also be electrified to improve connectivity further and support regional growth.
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