Assam and Sikkim are set to receive a significant boost in flood relief efforts, with Union Communications and DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announcing a Rs 11,000 crore allocation. Speaking at a press conference in State capital Guwahati, Scindia highlighted the Central Government’s commitment to aiding the Northeast’s development and disaster management.
“In the last 75 years, the Northeast was neglected, but PM Narendra Modi has turned it into Bharat’s growth engine,” Scindia remarked. He accentuated the region’s remarkable infrastructure growth, noting that the number of airports has nearly doubled from 9 to 17, with three new airports built in Arunachal Pradesh alone.
The Purvoday initiative, aiming to establish the Northeast as Bharat’s sunrise region, has driven substantial investments. The budget for the Ministry of DoNER has increased significantly from Rs 1,750 crore during the Congress regime to Rs 6,000 crore under the current administration.
Highlighting the increase in financial support to Assam, Scindia mentioned, “During PM Modi’s tenure, the tax devolution to Assam has increased to Rs 2.30 lakh crore, nearly four times the amount given from 2004 to 2014.”
In addition to flood relief funds, Scindia announced the establishment of 100 new post offices across the Northeast to enhance connectivity and services. He highlighted the development of South Asia’s largest cancer hospital network in Assam, with seven new hospitals, and the upcoming first AIIMS in Guwahati.
Other notable projects include the first national data centre in the Northeast, set to be established in Assam, and a Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor unit set to transform the region’s technological landscape. Additionally, the Centre has allocated Rs 10,000 crore for railway development in 2024-2025, with 70 km of new tracks being laid in Assam.
Reflecting on past delays, Scindia pointed out the timely completion of key projects like the Bogibeel Bridge and the Bhupen Hazarika Setu, both inaugurated under PM Modi’s tenure.
Scindia reiterated the government’s dedication to transforming the Northeast into a hub of growth and development, ensuring it remains at the forefront of Bharat’s progress.
