Mizoram becomes third power surplus state in NE after Sikkim, Tripura : PM Modi

Addressing a public rally in Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl after dedicating the 60 MW Tuirial hydro power Project to the nation, PM Modi said it is the  first major Central Sector Project to be successfully commissioned in Mizoram.

“It is the first large hydro-power project in the State. It will produce 251 Million Units of electrical energy every year, and boost the socio-economic development of the State,” Modi said. ,

“The project was first declared and cleared by the Union Government of Prime Minister Vajpayee ji, way back in 1998, but got delayed. The completion of this project is a reflection of our commitment to complete the  on-going projects and usher in a new era of development in the North Eastern region," he said.

Besides generating electricity, the reservoir water will also open new avenues for navigation. This will provide connectivity to remote villages. The huge reservoir, spread over an area of 45 square kilometers, can also be used for development of fisheries, the PM said.

This project will boost eco-tourism, and provide a source of assured drinking water supply. The State has a hydro power potential of 2100 MW, of which we have so far tapped only a fraction,” Modi said.

It is Modi’s first visit to Mizoram since he assumed ffice.

Modi further said that, Mizoram, which shares boundaries with Myanmar and Bangladesh can benefit from Centre’s Act East policy.

The PM reiterated his government’s commitment for overall development of Mizoram and the entire region.

“The Union government has been proactively following the Act East Policy. As a gateway to South East Asia, Mizoram stands to gain immensely from this. It can emerge as a key transit point for trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh,” Modi said.

“Building a New India by 2022 requires us to work towards the twin goals of increasing economic growth as well as ensuring that the fruits of growth are shared by all. Vision of New India can be realized only if fruits of development reach all."

"The  Government plans to focus on around 115 districts which are relatively backward when evaluated on various indicators. This will benefit backward districts of North Eastern States including Mizoram," he said.

" It is said that the lack of connectivity is one of the biggest hurdles in the path of development of the North Eastern Region.  My government wants to do 'Transformation by Transportation' through investment in infrastructure to change the face of the North Eastern Region. We are committed to bring all the State Capitals of North East Region on the Rail map. The Union government is executing 15 New Rail Line projects of 1385 kilometers length, at a cost of over Rs 47,000 crore,” Modi said.

The PM said  the high literacy rate, scenic beauty and availability of large English speaking population in Mizoram make for a perfect blend to develop the State as a model tourist destination.

“The Bamboo which is the livelihood for lakhs of people of North East, has been under a very restrictive regulatory regime. Because of this, you cannot transport or sell the Bamboo produced in your own field without the permit. Our Government with an aim to reduce this pain, has changed the regulatory regime and now there will be no requirement of any permit or permission for producing, transporting and selling Bamboo and its products produced by farmers in their own fields. This will benefit lakhs of farmers and will add to the efforts to double the farmers income by 2022,” Modi said.

The assembly poll in Mizoram will be held early next year and BJP hopes that the PM’s visit to the state will boost party’s prospects of coming to power in the state  Assam, Arunachal and Manipur in the north-east.

Earlier, Mizoram governor Lt General (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma and Chief Minister Lal Thanhawala had welcomed PM Modi at Aizawls Lengpui airport.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)