SPRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched projects worth Rs 9,000 crore in Mizoram, including the Bairabi-Sairang line, which fully integrated the landlocked north-eastern State with the railway network of the country. During his second visit to the northeastern State after becoming the

 

Prime Minister in 2014, Modi also flagged off the maiden Rajdhani Express between Aizawl and Delhi and launched other strategic projects to augment rail, highways, energy and sports infrastructure. The PM is on a three-day visit to Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal and BiharModi launched from projects from Lengpui Airport, around37kmfromAizawl,after his helicopter could not take off due to heavy rain for Lammual Ground located in theheartof thecity,fromwhere he was scheduled to dedicate to thenation theinitiatives and address a public meeting.

 

 

“ThePrimeMinisterlaid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 9,000 crore in Mizoram. Inlinewithhiscommitment to world-class infrastructure and last-mile connectivity, Modiinaugurated theBairabiSairangrailwayline,worthover Rs8,070crore,integratingstate capital Aizawl with the railway network. Theproject,builtin thechallenginghilly terrain,has45 tunnels constructed under complex geologicalconditions,”an official said. Mizoram Governor V K Singh,

 

Chief Minister Lalduhoma, and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present at Lammual Ground.

 

The 51.38-km-long BairabiSairang railway line project is part of the Centre’s ‘Act East’ policy, which aims at boosting connectivity and economic integration across the Northeast. ‘NORTHEAST SUFFERED HEAVILY DUE TO ‘VOTE BANK’ POLITICS, NOW NATION’SGROWTHENGINE’: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi onSaturday said that the northeastern regionearliersufferedheavilydue to‘votebank’ politics, but has now transformed into country’s growth engine due to efforts of the BJP-led Government at the Centre.