PM showers Rs 4000-cr largesse on Arunachal

ITANAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects in Arunachal Pradesh worth over Rs 4,000 crore and said his government was giving a lot of importance to improve connectivity in the sensitive border state.
Addressing at function at IG Park here, he said his government was giving importance to improve the highway, railway, airway and power situation in Arunachal Pradesh, which was neglected by the previous governments.
Terming the state “pride” of the country, Modi said it is the gateway of the nation as it guards the frontier. It is the duty of the government to develop the state at any cost, he said. The prime minister said work is going on for projects worth Rs 13,000 crore in the state and alleged that the previous regime neglected the Northeast region. “It is the duty of the government to develop the state at any cost, said Modi. “Arunachal is a symbol of faith for the country as it gives us strength.India will develop only if Arunachal and the entire northeast develops.” He added. Terming tourism as a money spinner for the state, the prime minister said that with the coming up of the greenfield airport and rail network, industry would flourish and many unemployed youth would get employment opportunities. Modi said the development trajectory of the state is taking place at a faster pace with NDA and Pema Khandu-led BJP government in the state are working in close coordination. The prime minister said under the UDAN scheme, steps were being taken to provide service of civilian aircraft at a lower cost in the state and road projects worth 50,000 crore are going on which will connect about 1,000 villages.
The government is also laying stress on power generation and accordingly sanctioned an amount of Rs 3,000 crore to erect transmission lines to be connected in the grid. Modi also laid the stones of seven 132/33 KV and 24 33/11 KV electric substations under Comprehensive Scheme. (Agencies)