The Northeast connect: PM Modi announces Rs 28,000 crore package for 14 railway lines

Dimapur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Nagaland, on Monday announced a package of 28 thousand crore for the establishment of 14 new railway lines in the Northeast.

"People will come to your state for investment and tourism. They will do so because of your biodiversity and climate. Nowadays, if one wants to come to Nagaland from Delhi, it won't take more than a few hours, but a prime minister took more than ten years to reach here," the Prime Minister said.

"I took charge as the Prime Minister six months back and I would like to mention the initiatives we have taken for the Northeast. A packaged of Rupees 28 thousand crores will be allotted to establish 14 new railway lines in the Northeast," he said.

"There are Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in some parts of the country but here it is a NEZ-Natural Economic Zone. My priority is to tap this NEZ for the Northeast," he added.

Furthermore, he announced scholarships for students from the Northeast saying that 10,000 students will be beneficiaries of the same.

The Prime Minister also extended greetings to the people of Nagaland on the occasion of Hornbill Festival, which is being celebrated across the state today.

"It is a great honour to be here. I greet you during this festive season. This festival seeks to promote, preserve and protect unique cultural diversity of Nagaland. After 50 years of statehood, look back, introspect and take stock of the ground you covered so far. I have seen the strength of your society," he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi extended greetings to the people of the state on its 51st Statehood Day, which is coinciding with the Hornbill festival.

This is his first visit to the state after taking oath to office as the Prime Minister.