Says govt keen to make North East ‘engine of India’s growth story’
AMN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that his government was committed to make the Northeast region an “engine of India’s growth story”.
Mr Modi was speaking at a programme after dedicating Sikkim’s first airport at Pakyong to the nation. The Prime Minister said, for the first time since independence, stress has been given on increasing connectivity by both air and rail and providing electricity in remote areas of the North East and building infrastructure.
He said, the government is making all efforts to expand connectivity in all northeastern states and remove regional imbalances. Mr Modi said, previous governments worked in a slow pace for ushering in development.
He said, with the inauguration of the greenfield airport, the country currently has 100 airports. The Prime Minister said, till 2014, the country had only 65 airports since Independence. But in the last four years, his government has built 35 airports.
He said, the greenfield airport in Sikkim will not just improve connectivity, but will also boost tourism and other economic activities in the state.
Mr Modi said, it will lead to the creation of more jobs for the youth and greater economic activity in the state.
Mr Modi said, the central government is taking steps to encourage organic farming in the state. He said, the Centre has started Mission Organic Value Development in the region. The scheme has been approved with an outlay of 400 crore rupees.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu, who was also present on the occasion, said the dream of the people of Sikkim to have an airport of their own has now come true.
Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey said, the Pakyong Airport has been built at a cost of over 600 crore rupees. He said, Commercial flights at the airport will begin from 4th of next month.
Pakyong Airport Director R Manjunatha said, the airport will later provide international flight services, connecting Sikkim with other countries like Paro in Bhutan, Kathmandu in Nepal and Dhaka in Bangladesh.