Gangtok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today showered praise on Sikkim and the entire Northeast, commending their brisk pace of development and promising future. Addressing the “Sikkim @50” event virtually due to inclement weather, the Prime Minister affirmed the Centre’s unwavering support for the Himalayan state, projecting it as a future global tourist hotspot.
The Prime Minister underscored the significant infrastructure push in Sikkim, highlighting the upcoming Sevoke-Rongpo railway line that will soon seamlessly integrate the state into the national rail network. He noted the construction of approximately 400 kilometres of new national highways and over 100 kilometres of rural roads in Sikkim over the past decade. The Atal Setu bridge, he added, has notably enhanced connectivity between Sikkim and Darjeeling, streamlining travel for the region’s inhabitants.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to inclusive development, a philosophy encapsulated in the 2014 slogan, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” He stressed the imperative of equitable growth across all regions for India to achieve its fully developed status. Recognising the unique strengths of each state, he articulated the Centre’s intensified focus on the Northeast through an “Act East” policy, driven by an “Act Fast” approach to accelerate progress.
Reflecting on Sikkim’s five-decade journey, the Prime Minister lauded the populace’s steadfast faith in democracy, which he credited for the state’s consistent advancement. He hailed Sikkim as a beacon of harmony between nature and progress, underscoring its distinction as the nation’s first fully organic state. Modi also pointed to Sikkim’s foray into organic fish farming as a testament to its leadership in agricultural innovation.
Expressing an ambitious vision, the Prime Minister voiced his hope for Sikkim to evolve into the world’s green model state within the next quarter-century, showcasing a perfect synergy of development and environmental preservation. He also touched upon India’s aspirations to become a global sports powerhouse, emphasizing the pivotal role that the youth of Sikkim and the broader Northeast would play in realising this dream. He further assured that the central government would actively facilitate the export of more local products from Sikkim to international markets.
Coinciding with his address, PM Modi virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a slew of development projects in Sikkim. These included a new 500-bed hospital in Namchi district, valued at over Rs 750 crore, and a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling, poised to benefit both tourists and local residents.
While original plans had PM Modi attending the event in person in Gangtok, adverse weather conditions necessitated his virtual participation from Bagdogra. Beyond his engagements in Sikkim, the Prime Minister’s itinerary for the day included visits to West Bengal, where he was slated to lay the foundation stone for a City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts. Later, he was scheduled to be in Bihar to inaugurate the new terminal building of Patna Airport.
Looking ahead, PM Modi is set to visit Karakat in Bihar tomorrow, where he will launch and inaugurate numerous projects totalling over Rs 48,520 crore, followed by a public address. Subsequently, the Prime Minister will travel to Kanpur Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, where he will lay foundation stones and inaugurate multiple projects worth approximately Rs 20,900 crore, addressing a public gathering there as well.
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