The Indian government has invested a significant sum of Rs 3.37 lakh crore over the span of nine years in the developmental pursuits of the northeastern states, as disclosed by Union Minister Anurag Thakur during a session in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
In response to queries, Minister Thakur shed light on the extensive work carried out by the Modi administration in the past nine years to foster comprehensive growth across the region. The Union Minister highlighted the substantial expansion of the road network in the Northeast, noting a remarkable increase from 8,480 km to around 16,000 km, effectively bolstering connectivity.
Furthermore, Thakur pointed out that the number of airports has doubled in the aforementioned time frame, and efforts are underway to enhance rail connectivity. He underlined the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has visited the Northeast on 60 occasions during the last nine years, a testament to the government’s dedication to the region’s advancement.
Minister Thakur emphasized the shift from the ‘Look-East’ policy of previous administrations to the ‘Act-East’ approach under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Presently, there are 1,350 ongoing projects with a cumulative value of Rs 15,760 crore across various departments of the central government, aimed at propelling the Northeast’s development.
Thakur highlighted the significance of sports in the region, noting that the Northeastern states have produced internationally recognized athletes. While the development of sports and sports infrastructure primarily falls under the purview of state and Union Territory governments, the central government plays a supportive role in bridging gaps.
Minister Thakur acknowledged that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports established the first National Sports University in Imphal, Manipur, with a sanctioned cost of Rs 643.34 crore. The institution has been operational since 2018. Moreover, 75 sports infrastructure projects have been sanctioned under the Khelo India Scheme and the National Sports Development Fund in the Northeast.
In addition, the ministry has designated eight Khelo India State Centres of Excellence, 227 Khelo India Centres, and 22 Khelo India-accredited sports academies in the Northeastern states. The Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, operates three National Centres of Excellence, 12 SAI Training Centres, and six Extension Centres of STC under its two Regional Centres in the Northeast.
The commitment of resources, attention, and effort by the government stands as a testament to its determination to drive holistic development in the northeastern states, solidifying the region’s trajectory towards progress and prosperity.
