Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized previous Congress governments for allocating a meager budget for railway networks in Assam. During Congress rule, Assam received only around Rs 2,000 crore in the rail budget, while under the BJP government, this allocation has increased to nearly Rs 10,000 crore annually, marking a five-fold rise. This enhanced investment has facilitated significant infrastructure development, including new rail lines, doubling, electrification, and improved passenger facilities.
PM Modi announced the launch of three new train services from Kaliabor, expanding Assam’s rail connectivity. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will link Guwahati to Kolkata, enhancing long-distance travel comfort, while two Amrit Bharat Express trains will serve key stations in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, directly benefiting numerous passengers. These new services aim to connect Assam’s traders to new markets, offer students easier access to education, and simplify travel across the country.
The Prime Minister emphasized that such connectivity expansion signifies a shift in the Northeast’s development narrative, bringing it closer to the heart of the nation. He acknowledged the historical challenge of distance faced by the Northeast, both in terms of physical distance and emotional disconnect. PM Modi highlighted the BJP government’s efforts to bridge this gap by prioritizing the region’s development, focusing on enhancing connectivity through roadways, railways, airways, and waterways.
PM Modi also inaugurated the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), valued at over Rs 6,950 crore, earlier in the day.
