PM Modi In Arunachal: PM Modi on Saturday visited Arunachal Pradesh where he inaugurated the Sela Tunnel in Itanagar and launched the UNNATI scheme worth Rs 10,000 crore. Addressing the audience, the Prime Minister listed the projects that his government has launched in the northeastern state. While highlighting his work, the PM said, "I don't work for any region by looking at the number of seats it has in the Parliament. I work because you are my family".
Hitting out at opposition, PM Modi said, "Kaan khol ke sunlo Parivarvaadio, kaun hai Modi ka Parivaar'. To which the huge crowd responded: "Hum hain Modi ka Parivaar".
PM Modi said, "I have visited the state several times, but this is the first time I have witnessed such a huge crowd. Today, I got the opportunity to be a part of all the Northeastern states in this festival of a developed Northeast".
"Congress had neglected the border villages and termed it the last village. But for me, this is the first village and so we started the Vibrant Village Programme," PM said.
He unveiled multiple development projects in various states including Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh during the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit North East' programme.
These development projects are related to various sectors including housing, education, border infrastructure, rail, road, health, IT, Power, Oil and Gas, among others.
"Our vision is that of 'Ashta Lakshmi' for the development of the Northeast. Our Northeast is becoming a strong link for trade and tourism with South Asia and East Asia," PM Modi said at a gathering in Itanagar.
Thanking PM Modi for visiting the state, CM Pema Khandu said, "On behalf of the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh, I want to thank PM Modi for coming to Itanagar and inaugurating several development projects in the North East".
UNNATI Scheme
The Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme or UNNATI is a new Industrial development scheme launched by PM Modi to strengthen the industrial ecosystem in the North East. The scheme is funded by the centre and is worth Rs 10,000 crore. It covers all the eight northeastern states.
According to the PMO's statement, it will assist in the establishment of new manufacturing and service units and boost employment in northeastern states. The scheme will also provide incentives for interest subvention, capital investment, and manufacturing and services linked to the approved units.
Sela Tunnel Project
The Sela Tunnel is the world's longest twin-lane tunnel constructed by the BRO using new Austrian Tunnelling methods at a cost of Rs 825 crore. Situated at a height of 13,000 feet the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across the Sela pass on the Balipara -Chariduar- Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh.
Its foundation stone was laid by PM Modi in February 2019 and the project is said to be of strategic importance to India, providing a faster and more efficient transport route in the region.
Other Development Projects In Arunachal Pradesh
PM Modi also dedicated and laid the foundation stone of several other development projects worth over Rs 41,000 crore in Arunachal Pradesh. These include the Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project in Lower Dibang Valley district which will be built at a cost of over Rs 31,875 crore. It will become the highest dam structure in the country.
Other projects whose foundation has been laid by the PM include a double-lane road to provide connectivity from Donyi-Polo airport to Naharlagun railway station, several road, environment and tourism projects under the ‘Vibrant Village Programme,' and the upgradation of schools into 50 Golden Jubilee Schools equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities.
PM Modi will also hand over more than 35,000 houses valued at Rs 450 crores under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to the beneficiaries. He will also dedicate to the nation 1100 projects of Jal Jeevan Mission and 170 telecom towers under the Universal Service Obligation Fund, benefitting over 300 villages.