India has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 12 years. During this period, the Modi government carried out many flagship initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of the poor, farmers, women and youth. Akashvani News brings you a special feature: 12 Saal – Vishwas Ke, Vikas ke, Jankalyan ke. Today, we focus on the steps taken by the government to transform the North East.
When it comes to nation-building, leaving the North-East neglected is impossible in New India. This region was once identified only by violence, blockades, and neglect. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government changed this. Over the past 12 years, the Prime Minister himself has visited the North-East more than 83 times.
Connectivity of remote and hilly regions with the national mainstream has increased in this period. This has resulted in increased tourism and created greater local income opportunities. Over 47 thousand 270 crore rupees have been spent under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and more than 46 thousand 290 kilometres of rural roads have been constructed.
Eight new Greenfield Airports have been developed over the past twelve years. There were 9 such airports in 2014 and the number has now increased to 17. Under the UDAN Scheme, 90 routes and 12 airports and heliports have been operationalised. Over 4,170 kilometres of railway lines were electrified in the North Eastern Region. 100 per cent railway electrification has been achieved in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram.
For the first time since Independence, the first freight train reached Manipur in 2022 and the first freight train reached Meghalaya in 2023. The first train reached Mizoram in 2025. Talking to Akashvani News, Principal of Itanagar’s Dera Natung Government College, Dr MQ Khan said that air connectivity has improved in Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, a total of 6,600 crore rupees has been allocated under PM-DevINE, accelerating the development of the North East, Talking to Akashvani News, a Guwahati local said that road and air connectivity have improved in the region. Today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, ‘Ashtalakshmi’ – the eight states of the North-East -are writing a new story of development.
