SHILLONG: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura road to the nation from a programme here in Shillong while making a pledge to put Meghalaya on the fast track of development and to make it one of the top tourist destinations in the country.
Addressing the well-attended “Rally for Change” in Shillong organised by the BJP here after dedicating the road project, Modi said that the road project would enhance connectivity besides serving as the east-west corridor for Meghalaya.
Noteworthy that neither the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, nor any other Cabinet Minister from the State was present during the programme in which the Prime Minister dedicated the road project to the nation.
“The road will establish a link between the two important towns of Shillong and Tura,” Modi said even as he added that the travel time between Shillong and Tura would now be reduced to 8 hours. The 264 km road has been constructed at a budget of over Rs 2300 crore.
“The transformation by transportation is our motto,” Modi said adding that construction of 4000 kilometers of National Highways has been sanctioned in the North Eastern region with a cost of Rs 32000 crore.
Modi informed that the over 1200 kilometer of roads have been constructed with a cost of Rs 14000 in the last three years.
Modi also stated that in the next 2-3 years, road projects with an investment of over Rs 60000 crores had been proposed under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in the region besides Rs 30000 crores would be given for the development of National Highways in the region under the Bharatmala Project.
“80 kilometers of National Highways have been constructed in Meghalaya by the Central Government in 3 years and work is in progress for another 200 kilometers of NH 40 and 44,” Modi sais while highlighting BJP’s agenda to serve Meghalaya only through “development, speedy development and all-encompassing development mantra”
According to Modi, the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) will construct 400kms of road in the state with a budget of Rs 5700
On the Pradhan Manti Gram Sadak Yojana, Modi said that the Union Government had released about 470 crores under the scheme to construct 700 kilometers of road over 100 habitations
Maintaining that the North East region was faced with the challenge of connectivity, Modi opined that the region would be helped to overcome the challenge though improved air connectivity for which Union government was in the process of preparing a comprehensive road map.
Modi while recalling his recent experience with sea plane in Gujarat also felt that sea planes could be a good option to provide better connectivity in the NE region.
With regards to the state of infrastructure in Shillong airport, Modi said that bigger planes like Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 should land in Shillong airport.
“Union Government has given its approval for runway expansion of Shillong airport and we will spend Rs 180 crores in this regard and the project should be completed within one and half years,” Modi said
Meghalaya would also benefit from UDAN scheme under which Shillong will be connected with other cities of the region through flights, Modi said.
On railway project, Modi said that Union Government was executing 15 new rail line for 1400 kilometer with a cost of Rs 47000 crores.
Expressing happiness over Meghalaya coming into railway map with Mendipathar-Guwahati railway, Modi lamented that even after 70 years of Independence, four crores households in the country are yet to have electricity.
Giving statistics, Modi said that 19000 families in Meghalaya have availed benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY),
Stating that the Union Government wants to make Meghalaya a top tourist destination, Modi pointed out that the Central Government had sanctioned around Rs 100 crores for development of tourism destinations in Meghalaya.
Naming few eminent sports persons from Meghalaya, like Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Dolyne Kharbhih, Torak Kharpran, the Prime Minister recalled the successful hosting of the 12th South Asian Games in Meghalaya and Assam, and expressed his joy that Meghalaya would also host the national games in 2022 when the state will celebrate its golden jubilee year. “Meghalaya can become one of India’s top most sporting states,” Modi said