Itanagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple developmental projects worth about Rs 55,600 crore in Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeastern states of Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura on Saturday, encompassing sectors like rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, IT, power, oil, and gas, among others.
PM Modi also dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel, the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet, to provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang by pressing the remote button at a public function, ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit North East Programme’ in Itanagar.
The Prime Minister’s vision for the progress and development of the Northeast was strengthened with the launch of several development initiatives in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh related to sectors like rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, IT, power, oil, and gas, among others.
During the programme, Modi also launched a new Industrial Development Scheme for North East, UNNATI (Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme). The scheme, worth about Rs 10,000 crore, will strengthen the industrial ecosystem in the North East, attract new investment, help set up new manufacturing and service units, and give a boost to employment in the Northeastern States.
UNNATI will help catalyse industrial development and aid economic growth and development in the North East region.
The Sela Tunnel project, constructed at a cost of about Rs 825 crore, is an engineering marvel. It will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across Sela Pass on the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. It has been constructed using the new Austrian Tunnelling Method and incorporates safety features of the highest standards.
The project will not only provide a faster and more efficient transport route in the region but is also of strategic importance to the country. The foundation stone for Sela Tunnel was laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019.
The Prime Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 41,000 crore in Arunachal Pradesh. He laid the foundation stone for the 2880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project in the Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.
To be built at a cost of more than Rs 31,875 crore, it will be the highest dam structure in the country. It will generate power, help in flood moderation, and lead to employment opportunities and socioeconomic development in the region.
Other important projects whose foundation stones were laid include several road, environment, and tourism projects under the ‘Vibrant Village Programme’; the upgradation of schools into 50 Golden Jubilee schools wherein holistic education will be provided through state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities; and a double-lane road to provide connectivity from Donyi-Polo Airport to Naharlagun Railway Station, among others.
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation various important projects in Arunachal Pradesh, including several road projects, about 1100 projects of the Jal Jeevan Mission, and 170 telecom towers under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), benefiting more than 300 villages, among others. He also handed over more than 35,000 houses constructed at the cost of Rs 450 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (both urban and rural) to the beneficiaries.
At the same event, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3400 crore in Manipur, Rs 1700 crore worth of projects in Nagaland, over Rs 290 crore worth of projects in Meghalaya, more than Rs 450 crore worth of projects in Sikkim, and over Rs 8,500 crore worth of projects in Tripura.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General (Retd) KT Parnaik, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and State Assembly Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona were present on the occasion, among others.
