PM Modi’s Northeast Visit Sparks Development Surge in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant tour of India’s Northeast, starting with Manipur, marking his first visit to the state since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. The clashes, sparked by a court order on Meitei ST status, claimed over 260 lives and displaced nearly 60,000 people. In Churachandpur, a Kuki-majority area, Modi met with displaced families at relief camps and laid the foundation for projects worth over ₹7,300 crore, including urban road upgrades and highway developments. He later addressed a public gathering at Kangla Fort in Imphal, inaugurating infrastructure projects valued at ₹1,200 crore, such as the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri and Ima Markets in four districts, emphasizing inclusive growth to bridge divides between communities. Despite heavy rains and a shutdown called by militant group CorCom, over 10,000 security personnel ensured safety during the visit, which faced criticism from opposition leaders like Congress’s Jairam Ramesh for its brevity.
Earlier, Modi visited Aizawl, Mizoram, to launch the Bairabi-Sairang railway line, a ₹8,070-crore project connecting the state’s capital to India’s rail network. He flagged off three express trains, including a Rajdhani to Delhi, and initiated projects worth over ₹9,000 crore, boosting connectivity and economic prospects. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the railway’s potential to enhance tourism and employment.
On September 14, Modi arrived in Guwahati, Assam, to participate in centenary celebrations for Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. He inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over ₹19,000 crore, including the Darrang Medical College and Assam Bioethanol Plant, addressing public gatherings in Mangaldoi and Golaghat. The Prime Minister’s Office noted that the three-day tour, covering five states, involves projects worth ₹71,850 crore, underscoring Modi’s commitment to Northeast development. ANI reported strong public support in Manipur, though some residents, like Shailaja, expressed hopes for earlier intervention to mitigate the crisis.