Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth ₹23,550 crore in Assam’s Barak Valley region, while sharply criticising the Congress and highlighting his government’s focus on infrastructure and connectivity in the Northeast.
Addressing a public gathering in Silchar, the Prime Minister inaugurated and announced a series of projects aimed at improving road infrastructure, boosting agriculture and strengthening regional connectivity.
The key project announced during the event was the ₹22,864-crore Shillong–Silchar high-speed corridor, a 166-km access-controlled greenfield expressway expected to significantly reduce travel time between Shillong and Silchar. Once completed, the corridor is expected to enhance connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya and facilitate trade and economic activity in the region.
Among other projects, the Prime Minister launched a ₹565-crore elevated corridor on National Highway-306 in Silchar aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving road connectivity to neighbouring states. He also laid the foundation stone for a ₹122-crore agriculture college at Patharkandi in Karimganj district to strengthen agricultural education and research in southern Assam.
Speaking at the event, Modi said the Barak Valley has the potential to become an important gateway for trade and connectivity with Southeast Asian countries under the Centre’s Act East Policy. He added that the government is working to develop modern infrastructure to unlock the region’s economic potential.
The Prime Minister also launched a political attack on the Indian National Congress, accusing the party of neglecting the Northeast and failing to develop connectivity in the region during its years in power. He claimed that previous governments had weakened the economic prospects of the Barak Valley, while the current administration is focusing on accelerating development.
The event in Silchar was part of Modi’s visit to Assam during which several development projects were launched across different regions of the state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
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