Shillong-Silchar corridor: Giving further impetus to North East’s infrastructural development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled projects worth Rs 23,550 crore in Assam’s Silchar town, ahead of the assembly elections.
High-speed corridor to cut Guwahati, Silchar travel time to 5 hours
According to news agency PTI, PM Modi took part in the ‘bhoomi poojan’ for the Rs 22,864-crore access-controlled expressway between Silchar in Cachar district and Shillong in Meghalaya, the first of its kind in the Northeast.
The 166-km four-lane greenfield high-speed corridor will reduce the distance between Guwahati and Silchar from 295 km to 252 km, cutting travel time from 8.5 hours to around 5 hours, officials told PTI.
Modi also took part in the ‘bhoomi poojan’ for an elevated corridor on NH-306, from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar, which will be constructed at Rs 565 crore, the PTI report said.
Project to improve Silchar’s links with Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur
This project aims to alleviate congestion on one of Silchar’s busiest roads, improve links with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, and contribute to the economic development of the Barak Valley, officials told PTI.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 122-crore College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Karimganj district, the report said.
These are part of projects worth Rs 47,800 crore that the PM unveiled in the state since Friday, the PTI report said.
Barak Valley is a key link between India and Southeast Asia
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said, southern Assam’s Barak Valley is emerging as a crucial bridge to connect India with Southeast Asia, while accusing the Congress of neglecting the region for decades after Independence. He said that the North East is now leading India’s Act East Policy.
What PM Modi said
Addressing the public gathering in Silchar, the Prime Minister said the Barak Valley once served as an important trade centre but lost its strategic advantage due to decisions taken during the Congress era. He alleged that despite ruling the country and the state for decades, the Congress failed to focus on the development of Barak Valley.
Highlighting infrastructure development, PM Modi said a historic step was taken with the foundation stone being laid for the Silchar-Shillong high-speed corridor.
He added that the elevated corridor on NH-306 from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar (Phase-I) will decongest one of Silchar’s busiest roads, improve connectivity with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, and contribute to the economic development of the Barak Valley.
“The fertile lands of the Barak Valley and the tea gardens here have always helped farmers, trade routes, and education centres progress in the region. This region connects the whole of Assam and West Bengal,” Modi said.
Assam polls expected next month
The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Assam, where assembly elections are expected to be held in April, with the ruling BJP-led NDA eyeing a third straight term in power.
(With inputs from PTI and All India Radio website)
