PM says N-E can be growth engine of country, region’s era of violence over
NEW DELHI: The northeast has the potential to become the country’s growth engine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, noting that peace is now being established in the region.
He made these remarks at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Manipur Water Supply project via a video link.
While blockades have become a part of history in Manipur, the era of decades of violence has ceased in Assam, the Prime Minister said in his address.
In Tripura and Mizoram too, youngsters have abandoned violenceandthebru-reangrefugees are moving towards a better life, he said.
The PM noted that the government is making constant efforts to improve connectivity in the region, be it highways, laying of rail tracks or upgrading airports.
The foundation stone-laying programme, he said, is an example of the fact that even during the coronavirus disease pandemic, the country has not stopped working. Referring to the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” (self-reliant India campaign), the
Prime Minister said clusters are being developed for value addition and marketing of local products, where all facilities will be given to agricultural startups and other industries. He said the northeast has the potential to replace the country’s bamboo import with local production.
Many institutes are being set up for health, education, skill development and startups, he added. With the setting up of a sports university and world-class stadia, Manipur is becoming a major hub for the country’s sports talent, Modi observed.
Speaking on the water supply project, he said it is a big day for the people of Manipur as it will reduce their water problems. “Every day, we are removing such a big worry of water from the lives of one lakh mothers and sisters,” he said.
Noting that a better life is directly linked to connectivity, he said the connectivity of the northeast is essential for a secure, sure and self-reliant India. Connectivity would give a fillip to India’s Act East Policy and also provide a gateway to the country’s travel and tourism sector, Modi said.
The Prime Minister referred to the more than 20 national waterways, including those in the northeast, which would provide a seamless connectivity. He said the northeast represents the country’s cultural diversity and strength, while pointing out that the region has a tourism potential, which remains unexplored.
Even as the country is fighting against Covid-19, eastern and northeastern India face the challenge of heavy rains and floods, which cost several lives and rendered many homeless, he said, adding that the Manipur government took all the necessary measures during the nationwide lockdown and made special arrangements for the return of migrants.
The externally-funded Manipur Water Supply project was designed to provide freshwater household tap connections (FHTCS) to the remaining households in the Greater Imphal planning area and 1,731 rural habitations, covering 2,80,756 households in all 16 districts of the state.
The project outlay is ~3,054.58 crore, with a loan component funded by the New Development Bank.