Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid the foundation stone, inaugurated development works worth over Rs 9000 crore in Aizawl, Mizoram.
These projects will cater to multiple sectors including Railways, Roadways, Energy, Sports among others.
Addressing the gathering via videoconferencing, the Prime Minister said, “Today, Mizoram is playing an important role in India’s development journey.”
Describing the day as historic for the nation, particularly for the people of Mizoram, he said, “from today, Aizawl will be on India’s railway map”.
Modi underlined that despite many challenges, including difficult terrain, the Bairabi–Sairang rail line has now become a reality.
Affirming that the hearts of the people and the nation have always been directly connected, the Prime Minister announced that for the first time, Sairang in Mizoram will be directly connected with Delhi by the Rajdhani Express.
He emphasized that this is not merely a railway connection, but a life-line of transformation and it will revolutionize the lives and livelihoods of the people of Mizoram.
The Prime Minister stated that for a long time, some political parties in the country practiced vote-bank politics and as a result, the entire North East, including states like Mizoram, suffered greatly due to this attitude.
Modi emphasized that the current approach is very different and those who were earlier neglected are now at the forefront. He added that those who were once marginalised are now part of the mainstream.
“Mizoram has a major role in both the Act East Policy and the emerging North East Economic Corridor”, exclaimed the Prime Minister. He stated that with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the Sairang–Hmawngbuchhuah rail line, Mizoram will be connected to the Bay of Bengal through South East Asia.
Emphasising that India is rapidly emerging as an important hub for global sports, he remarked that this growth is also giving rise to a sports economy in the country.
Underlining that the government is consistently taking steps to boost Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business, the Prime Minister said, “the next-generation GST reforms have recently been introduced and it means lower taxes on many products, making life easier for families”.
The Governor of Mizoram, General VK Singh, Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalduhoma, Union Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw were present among other dignitaries at the event.
