Silchar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (March 14) launched development projects worth Rs.23,550 crore in Silchar, marking one of the biggest infrastructure pushes for Assam’s Barak Valley in recent years.

Addressing a large public gathering at Ambikapur in Silchar, the Prime Minister performed the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ for three major projects. These include the Silchar High-Speed Corridor with an estimated cost of Rs.22,864 crore, the Silchar Town Flyover costing about Rs.565 crore, and the proposed Agricultural College at Patharkandi in Karimganj district with an estimated cost of Rs.122 crore.

Speaking at the event, Modi said southern Assam’s Barak Valley is emerging as a crucial bridge connecting India with Southeast Asia. He said the region will play an important role in strengthening India’s outreach under the Act East Policy.

The Prime Minister accused the Indian National Congress of neglecting Barak Valley for decades after Independence. He said that despite ruling both the country and Assam for long periods, the party failed to focus on the region’s development. According to Modi, Barak Valley was once an important trade centre but lost its strategic advantage because of decisions taken during the Congress era.

Highlighting infrastructure development in the Northeast, Modi said a historic step was taken with the foundation stone for the Silchar–Shillong high-speed corridor. The 166 km project, with an investment of about Rs.22,860 crore, will be the first access-controlled high-speed expressway in the Northeast.

He said the corridor will significantly improve connectivity between Shillong and Silchar and reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar from around 8.5 hours to nearly five hours. The project is expected to boost economic growth and cross-border trade in the region.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the elevated corridor on NH-306 from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar (Phase I). The flyover will help reduce traffic congestion on one of the town’s busiest roads and improve connectivity with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur.

Modi further laid the foundation stone for a new College of Agriculture at Patharkandi. He said the institution will strengthen agricultural education and research in Assam and provide students from Barak Valley and nearby regions access to quality agricultural studies closer to home.

Referring to the ongoing global tensions and conflicts, the Prime Minister said the government is taking every possible step to ensure that Indian citizens face minimal hardship. He added that the Centre’s focus is to reduce the impact of international conflicts on the country’s economy and people.