Jorhat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 17,500 crores in Jorhat of Assam.
The development projects encompass the sectors of health, oil and gas, rail and housing.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said “Development of Northeast is imperative for a Viksit Bharat”.
He further said “Modi considers the entire Northeast his family”.
That is why we are also focussing on the projects that are lying pending for years”, he added
Modi said that these projects created new possibilities in the region. He also mentioned the UNNATI Scheme which was approved in the last Cabinet meeting in new form with expanded scope. The Cabinet has also increased the MSP for Jute which will benefit the jute farmers of the state.
He said that Assam has made rapid strides in infrastructure, health and energy sectors.
Modi also dedicated the Barauni – Guwahati Pipeline under PM Urja Ganga Yojna to the nation.
The Prime Minister informed that the gas pipeline will connect the Northeastern grid with the national grid and help supply gas to 30 lakh homes and more than 600 CNG stations, thereby benefiting people from more than 30 districts of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
Speaking about the inauguration of the expansion of Digboi Refinery and Guwahati Refinery, Modi said that the previous governments had neglected the long-standing demand of the people to expand the capacity of refineries in Assam. He emphasized that with the efforts of the present government, the total capacity of refineries in Assam will now double while that of Numaligarh Refinery will be triple.
“Development of any region takes place at a fast pace when intentions for development are strong”, the PM added.
Modi congratulated 5.5 lakh families who got their pucca houses today and said that these houses are not just houses but are fitted with amenities like toilets, gas connections, electricity and piped water connection.
The Prime Minister mentioned providing land rights to more than 2.5 lakh landless natives and connecting about 8 lakh tea garden workers with the banking system leading to the transfer of government benefits directly into their bank accounts.
This, he said, closed all the doors for middlemen.
Modi mentioned about unveiling the magnificent statue of Veer Lachit Borphukan in Jorhat and said, “Veer Lachit Borphukan is the symbol of Assam’s valor and determination”.
He also recalled celebrating his 400th birth anniversary with great pomp and honour in 2002 in New Delhi and bowed before the brave warrior.
Talking about his visit to Kaziranga National Park, the Prime Minister called it a unique national park and tiger reserve and underlined the attraction of its biodiversity and ecosystem of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Modi pointed out how the rhino became endangered due to negligence and criminal collaboration and recalled the hunting of 27 rhinos in a single year in 2013. This number was brought down to zero in 2022 by the efforts of the government.
Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbanada Sonowal were present.
