Itanagar, November 19 (MTNews): Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh today said that before Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, the Northeast region faced indifference and neglect. He went on to say that it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government that focused on the region and established a separate ministry for the Northeast. Later, that momentum was lost, but after 2014, a new chapter of development began, according to the Prime Minister.
“Be it tourism or trade, telecom or textiles, North East gets top priority”, the Prime Minister said, adding that, unlike in the past, when remote border villages were treated as the last village, their government now treats border villages as the country’s first village.
“Be it drone technology or Krishi UDAAN, be it airport connectivity or port connectivity, the government has set the priority of development on North East,” PM added.
“This is a new era of expectations and aspirations and today’s program is a perfect example of the new approach of India”, the Prime Minister added, citing the longest bridge in India, the longest railroad bridge, rail line connectivity, and record highway construction to highlight the region’s development.
The Prime Minister stated that Donyi Polo Airport will be Arunachal Pradesh’s fourth operational airport, bringing the total number of airports in the North-East region to 16.
“From 1947 to 2014, only 9 airports were built in the North-East. In a short span of the last eight years, 7 airports have been built in the North-East,” he said, implying that the rapid development of airports in the region reflects the Prime Minister’s special emphasis on improving connectivity in the region.
He also stated that the number of flights connecting Northeast India has doubled. “The Donyi Polo Airport is becoming a witness to the history and culture of Arunachal Pradesh”, Modi said.
Modi also dedicated the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station to the nation, claiming that even the most remote parts of the North-Eastern region are now electrified.
The Prime Minister went on to say that development projects are no longer being halted or postponed. He stated that the government has established a work culture of laying the foundation stone as well as inaugurating projects. It should be noted that the Prime Minister himself laid the foundation stone for the Donyi Polo airport in February 2019.
He highlighted how the development of infrastructure and increasing connectivity is also boosting the tourism economy of the North-East.
The people and culture of Arunachal Pradesh are exemplary.
Some glimpses from the welcome in Itanagar. pic.twitter.com/stcCyIbWhp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 19, 2022