Silchar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Silchar, saying the Barak Valley is set to emerge as a major logistics and trade hub for the Northeast.

Addressing a public gathering in Silchar, the Prime Minister said visiting the Barak Valley is always a special experience for him. He described the region as a land known for its culture, vibrancy and unique identity shaped by history and language.

Modi said Silchar acts as the gateway to the valley where Bengali, Assamese and tribal traditions coexist in harmony. He noted that the diversity of the region is its greatest strength and has helped nurture a spirit of brotherhood among its people.

Highlighting the region’s economic potential, the Prime Minister said the fertile plains and tea gardens have long supported local trade and livelihoods. He said the development projects launched on Saturday would further strengthen Barak Valley as a key logistics hub for the entire Northeast.

According to him, investments in rail, road and education infrastructure are expected to generate employment opportunities for local youth while improving connectivity with neighbouring regions including West Bengal and other northeastern states.

Modi said the government is positioning the region as a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy and working to restore its industrial importance.

Referring to infrastructure development, the Prime Minister said a major milestone was achieved with the ground-breaking ceremony of the Rs.24,000 crore Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor. He said the access-controlled highway would be the first of its kind in the Northeast and would connect Silchar with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura, eventually linking the region with markets in Southeast Asia.

The Prime Minister said the new Silchar flyover will help ease traffic congestion in the town and benefit students travelling to institutions such as Silchar Medical College and Hospital, National Institute of Technology Silchar and Assam University.

He also referred to the electrification of more than 2,500 kilometres of railway lines in Assam, saying it will ensure faster and cleaner rail transport while helping protect the region’s environment.

Speaking about agriculture, Modi said farmers and tea garden workers have played a crucial role in Assam’s development. He said more than Rs.20,000 crore has been transferred to farmers in the state under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

The Prime Minister added that the establishment of the region’s first agriculture college at Patharkandi in Karimganj district will strengthen agricultural research and help young people start agri-based enterprises.

Modi said the government is focusing on communities that were earlier left behind in development. He said border villages, once seen as the “last villages”, are now being treated as the “first villages” under initiatives such as the Vibrant Villages Programme.

He also mentioned the Assam government’s decision to grant land rights to thousands of tea garden families, saying the move would allow them to access central welfare schemes related to housing, electricity and drinking water.

The Prime Minister said the government has expanded educational and employment opportunities for tea garden communities through schools, scholarships and skill development programmes. He further said Assam is emerging as a health hub with new institutions and cancer hospitals, while the state is also preparing to play a role in India’s semiconductor and technology sectors.

Referring to global conflicts and economic challenges, Modi said the government is working to minimise their impact on Indian citizens. He expressed confidence that with continued development and the collective efforts of the people, Barak Valley will soon emerge as a new centre of growth in the Northeast.