When 78 years later, the train arrived in Mizoram for the first time, PM Modi told why it was so late:

News India Live, Digital Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Mizoram a gift of development projects worth Rs 9,000 crore, saying that the earlier governments ignored the Northeast for a long time, as they only did vote bank politics. He said, “His attention has always been in the places where there were more votes and seats. Due to this attitude, states like Mizoram suffered heavy losses.”

Inaugurating the railway line for the first time in Mizoram, the Prime Minister said that those who were earlier marginalized for our government are now in the mainstream. He insisted that the development engine of Northeast India is becoming today.

78 years of wait is over, Aizawl came on rail map

It was a historic day for Mizoram, as the capital Aizawl connected to the rest of the country directly after 78 years of independence. PM Modi inaugurated the Bairabi-Sairang rail line and gave a green signal to Rajdhani Express for Delhi. He said that it is not just a railway line, but a lifeline of change which will bring revolution in the lives of people here.

This new connectivity will help the farmers and traders of Mizoram reach the big markets of the country, which will create new employment and tourism opportunities here.

Mizoram is an important part of the ‘Act East’ policy

PM Modi said that Mizoram is an important part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. He informed that projects like Kaladan Multi-Model Transport Project and New Railway Line will play an important role in connecting the state with Southeast Asia. He said that for the last 11 years, his government has been working for the development of the Northeast and the railway budget has been increased by five times to Rs 10,000 crore as compared to earlier.

This tour has happened at a time when the government is calling connectivity and development its top priority in the Northeast.