Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth around Rs 19,480 crore in Guwahati, Assam. PM Modi noted that Assam has received a vast array of projects , ranging from those aimed at making Assam self-reliant in the energy sector to works enhancing the convenience of people travelling to Assam. The Prime Minister emphasized that this is also a momentous day for the farmers of the country and for the workers of Assam’s tea gardens. Shri Modi informed the gathering that more than Rs 18,000 crore under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme was transferred directly into the accounts of crores of Annadatas across the nation. The Prime Minister further highlighted that land pattas have been distributed to numerous families associated with Assam’s tea plantations.
The Prime Minister noted that farmers from across the country are connected to this programme from the sacred land of Maa Kamakhya. PM Modi stated that crores of farmers have already received messages confirming the deposit of PM Kisan Nidhi in their accounts. The Prime Minister described the scheme as truly extraordinary. Shri Modi recalled that these are the very farmer brothers and sisters, the majority of whom had neither a mobile phone nor a bank account before 2014. The Prime Minister informed the gathering that so far, more than Rs 4.25 lakh crore has been deposited into the accounts of crores of such farmers. PM Modi specifically pointed out that approximately 19 lakh farmers in Assam alone have received nearly Rs 8,000 crore till date. “This is something even the developed nations of the world cannot match , with one click, money reaches crores of farmers directly,” emphasized Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister stated that the government’s vision is to connect farming with new technology, link farmers with new methods of irrigation, and ensure that crops also benefit. PM Modi noted that with this intent, the government adopted the policy of ‘Per Drop More Crop’ and brought micro-irrigation technologies such as drip and sprinkler systems to farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted that this has improved irrigation and also reduced costs. Shri Modi informed that the government is now working to connect farms with solar pumps to minimize farmers’ expenditure on diesel. The Prime Minister mentioned that the Kusum Yojana launched by the Centre is designed precisely for this purpose. “Many farmers today are not only irrigating through solar pumps but are also generating electricity and earning money from it,” asserted Shri Modi.
Shri Modi pointed out that unprecedented investment is being made in gas pipeline infrastructure across Assam and the entire North East. The Prime Minister informed that the upgradation of the Numaligarh-Siliguri pipeline has been completed, and the world’s first second-generation bio-ethanol plant has been established at Golaghat in Assam. “All these projects will bring enormous benefits to this entire region,” emphasized Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister stated that significant work has been done over the past decade to reduce the railways’ dependence on foreign resources and to minimize the import of oil. PM Modi noted that today, nearly the entire rail network of the country is connected through electric routes, and the target of 100 percent electrification will be achieved soon. “Due to railway electrification, the country is saving nearly 1.75 billion litres of diesel, and Assam’s railway network is also being rapidly electrified,” remarked Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister stated that Assam is playing a significant role in fulfilling the nation’s renewable energy commitments. PM Modi noted that the Lower Kopili Hydro Power Project will benefit not just Assam but the entire North East. “These projects worth thousands of crores are creating new avenues of employment for Assam’s youth and are boosting the state’s prosperity,” asserted Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister announced that the work of building modern cruise terminals at the famous Nimati Ghat and Bishwanath Ghat has also commenced. PM Modi emphasized that this is not merely an infrastructure project , it is a step that will give a new direction to tourism and the local economy in Assam. The Prime Minister highlighted that once the cruise terminals are built, cruise operations on the Brahmaputra will advance further, and it will become even easier for tourists from India and around the world to reach Assam.
The Prime Minister stated that Assam is today emerging as a model for the new future of India’s North East , the Ashtalakshmi. PM Modi noted that the progress of Assam is giving new momentum to the entire North East. Urging every youth and every family, Shri Modi asserted, “We must work together for a Viksit Assam so that Assam emerges as a model state in the nation.”
