Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering his speech on the occasion of the flag off ceremony of three trains in Shillong, Meghalaya today.
Describing North East as the "gateway" to South-East Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his government has been pro-actively pursuing the 'Act-East Policy' and working to improve infrastructure in the region but "much more needs to be done".
Addressing a public meeting in Shillong after flagging off three new trains, he said his government intends to connect all north eastern states by rail network and upgrade infrastructure in road, telecom, power and waterways to bring them on a par with the developed states.
"My Government has been pro-actively following the 'Act- East Policy'. As part of this policy, it is our mission to upgrade the infrastructure in road, rail, telecom, power and waterways in the region," he told the gathering.
"I consider the North Eastern Region as the gateway to South-East Asia.... A lot is being done. Much more still needs to be done," said Modi who earlier in the day chaired a meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC), comprising all states of the region.
He said since formation of NDA government at the Centre, more than Rs 10,000 crore (rpt) crore have been spent for development of railway network in North East and the Railway ministry plans to spend more than Rs 5,000 crore (rpt) crore during the current year.
Highlighting the tourism potential of the region, he stressed was need for developing tourist circuits by providing better facilities to tourists in terms of improved road connectivity, hotels and cleanliness.
He said the central government has launched a new scheme 'Swadesh Darshan', under which it is developing tourist circuits in the country and "one such circuit is proposed for the North East".
During his visit here, the Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the doppler weather radar at Cherrapunji, which receives the highest rainfall in the country. "Another feather has been added to its cap," he said.
"The North East, a land of beauty and adventure, has been hit by several natural calamities in the recent past, on account of heavy rain and landslides. This weather radar system will enable better weather forecasts, especially for the North Eastern region. This should help in minimizing the threat posed by extreme weather conditions," he said.