Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 28 inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth around Rs 4,000 crore in Sikkim, asserting that the Northeast region is India’s “Ashtalakshmi” and that the Himalayan state is an important part of it.
Addressing a public gathering in the Paljor stadium, PM Modi said the Centre has attached special importance to the development of the Northeast over the past several years and has moved beyond the “Act East” policy to an “Act Fast” approach. “For the Northeast, we have not only adopted the Act East policy, but also Act Fast. Today, projects worth Rs 4,000 crore in healthcare, infrastructure, education and other sectors have been kick-started,” PM Modi said.
Highlighting Sikkim’s ecological richness, he said the state is blessed with immense biodiversity and natural beauty.
“More than 500 species of birds and around 700 species of butterflies can be found here. Sikkim has excellent forest cover. People who visit Sikkim once wish to come here again and again,” he said.
PM Modi stressed that tourism potential can be fully realised only when connectivity is strengthened. He said the Centre is prioritising road, rail and air connectivity in the region. He noted that the Sevok-Rangpo railway line project is progressing rapidly and said Sikkim is set to receive railway connectivity for the first time in its history.
He also referred to the proposed expressway linking Bagdogra Airport with Gangtok, saying it would significantly reduce travel time and improve tourist inflow. PM Modi alleged that previous Congress governments had ignored the development needs of Sikkim and the wider Northeast region. “After the BJP came to power, development in Sikkim gained momentum,” he said.
