PM's 'anmol nazrana' – a rail link from Arunchal Pradesh to New Delhi

Itanagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday promised more rail, road and air connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh on the 29th foundation day of the hill state.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here this morning to participate in the celebrations being held to mark the 29th foundation day of Arunachal Pradesh, also assured the state of full cooperation from the Centre.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said, “I am glad to have come here on the occasion of your Statehood Day. The Governor and the CM came and told me to come. The affection of this state is such that I had to come.”

“A big impediment in the Northeast's development is connectivity be it rail, roads, air. The more connectivity increases, better it is,” The PM said, adding, “With the rail connectivity, I am sure the tourism will increase and people will see the beauty of this land.”

The PM, while assuring that the Indian Railways network will bring prosperity to the state of Arunachal Pradesh, announced a rail link between Naharlagun to New Delhi and to Guwahati.

“AC express train is an 'anmol nazrana' for the State of Arunachal Pradesh on the occasion of its 29th birthday,” the PM said.

The PM also commended the state government for the 'Gati' (speed) and 'Urja' (energy) shown by the hill state in the recent past. The Prime Minister, however, stressed that only sloganeering cannot end poverty and a clear roadmap is needed to eradicate it. “I want to assure you (Arunachal Pradesh) that you will witness much more progress in coming 5 years than you have seen in last 28 years,” the PM Modi said.

Besides, flagging off a train between Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh to New Delhi, the PM is also due to inaugurate some other projects in the northeastern state.

Modi will also inaugurate a water supply scheme for Itanagar, and lay the foundation stone for a 132 KV transmission line.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Modi will also visit Jharkhand later in the day to inaugurate a new railway line, a government statement said.

At a function in Hazaribagh in Jharkhand in the afternoon, he will inaugurate a new railway line from Hazaribagh to Kodarma, the statement said.