Assam & Northeast will be hub of East Asia: PM Narendra Modi

 Modi launched Rs 3,231-crore 'Mahabahu-Brahmaputra' project

 Rs 15,000 crore connectivity projects for Northeast

 Digital solutions for ease-of-doing-business

MAJULI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually launched the 'Mahabahu Brahmaputra' project and laid the foundation stones of two bridges in Assam.

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways; Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology; MoS (I/C) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Chief Minister of Assam and Meghalaya were present on the occasion here.

To mark the launch of 'Mahabahu Brahmaputra' project, he inaugurated the Ro-Pax vessel operations between Neamati and Majuli Island, North Guwahati and South Guwahati and between Dhubri and Hatsingimari. He laid the foundation stone of Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at Jogighopa and various tourist jetties on River Brahmaputra and launched digital solutions for 'Ease of Doing Business'.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister wished the Mising community for the Ali-Aye-Ligang festival associated with agriculture, which was celebrated yesterday. He said that for years this holy river was synonymous with socializing and connectivity. He lamented that not so much work related to connectivity on the Brahmaputra has been done earlier. He said that due to this reason, connectivity within Assam and in other areas of the North East has always been a major challenge. He said now the projects are fast tracked to reduce the distances geographically and culturally of this entire region. He added that the "Physical and Cultural Integrity of the whole North East including Assam has been strengthened over the recent years".

The Prime Minister further said that many bridges like the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Bogibeel Bridge, and the Saraighat Bridge are making life easier in Assam today. He also said this strengthens the security of the country and provides great convenience for our soldiers. The campaign to connect Assam and North East has been carried forward today. The Prime Minister lauded the Chief Minister of Assam and his government to work to achieve this.

Majuli has got Assam's first helipad and is getting the fast and safe road options as a long pending demand is being met with the "bhumi poojan" of the 8 km-long bridge connecting Kalibari with Jorhat. "This is going to be a bridge of convenience and possibilities," said the Prime Minister.

Similarly, the 19 km-long bridge from Dhubari to Fulbari in Meghalaya will improve connectivity in the Barak Valley and also reduce the distance among Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Assam. The Prime Minister pointed out that today, the distance between Meghalaya and Assam is about 250 km by road; it will be reduced to just 19-20 km.

Talking about the 'Mahabahu-Brahmaputra' programme, Prime Minister Modi said that this will strengthen water connectivity via the Brahmaputra through port-led development. The three Ro-Pax services which were launched today makes Assam a front-runner State to be connected with Ro-Pax services at this scale. This, along with the four tourist jetties will significantly improve Assam's connectivity with the Northeast.

The Prime Minister lamented that neglect of connectivity over the years have deprived the state of its prosperity. The Infrastructure deteriorated and waterways almost got finished, which, the Prime Minister said led to unrest. The course correction started during the time of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said Modi. In the recent years, steps were taken to re-establish multi-modal connectivity in Assam. Ëfforts are on to make Assam and the North East the hub of our cultural and business relations with other East Asian countries.

The Prime Minister also said that work on inland waterways is going to make a major impact here. He said recently an agreement with Bangladesh to improve water connectivity has been made. Work is underway on the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route across the Hooghly River to connect the Brahmaputra and the Barak River. He pointed out that by connecting the North East with the rest of India, dependence of the region on the narrow connecting part would be reduced.

He added that the Jogighopa IWT Terminal will strengthen an alternative route to connect Assam with Haldia Port and Kolkata through a waterway. Bhutan and Bangladesh cargoes at this terminal and cargoes at the 'Jogighopa Multi Modal Logistics Park' would get facilities for movement to different places on the Brahmaputra River.

The Prime Minister said the new routes are made for the convenience of the common man and development of the region. He added Ro-pax service between Majuli and Nemati is one such route which would reduce the distance from about 425 km to just 12 km. On this path two ships are operated which would transport about 1,600 passengers and dozens of vehicles at one go. He said a similar facility launched in Guwahati would reduce the distance between North and South Guwahati from 40 km to 3 km.

The Prime Minister said e-portals are being launched today for the users to get accurate information. The Car-D portal will help in collating real-time information on all the cargo and cruise traffic data of the National Waterway. It will also provide information related to the infrastructure of Waterway. He added that GIS based India Map Portal, would help those who want to come here for business.

The Prime Minister further said that Internet connectivity is equally important along with Waterway, Railway, Highway connectivity of Assam and North East and continuous work is being done on this. He announced that with the investment of hundreds of crores of rupees, the first 'Data Center' of North East in Guwahati is going to be built. This 'Data Center' will serve as a data center hub for the eight north-eastern States and the IT service-based industry, BPO ecosystem and start ups in the North East including Assam would be strengthened through e-governance.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is working with the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas' in the country including the Northeast. He also noted the cultural depth and richness of the Majuli region, Assamese culture and local biodiversity.

The Prime Minister listed steps like the establishment of Cultural University, 'Biodiversity Heritage Site' status to Majuli, heritage circuit in Tezpur-Majuli-Sivasagar, celebrations like Namami Brahmaputra, Namami Barak. These steps are enriching Assam's identity even more, said the Prime Minister. He also expressed the hope that today's connectivity-related launches will open new avenues of tourism; and Assam could emerge as a major destination for cruise tourism. "We have to work collectively to make Assam, Northeast a strong pillar of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', concluded the Prime Minister. (PIB)

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