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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on 14 March 2026, announced a major push to infrastructure and connectivity in Assam, stating that Barak Valley is poised to become a key logistics and trade hub for the Northeast. Addressing a huge public gathering in Silchar, he said multiple development projects worth thousands of crores, launched and inaugurated during the visit, will transform the region’s economic landscape. The Prime Minister was joined by Assam Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and other dignitaries. He described Silchar as the gateway to Barak Valley, highlighting its rich cultural diversity, where Bengali, Assamese, and tribal traditions coexist, forming a unique social fabric.
India’s Act East Policy
Emphasizing the region’s strategic importance, the Prime Minister noted that Barak Valley connects Assam with the Northeast and West Bengal, and plays a vital role in India’s Act East Policy by linking the country to Southeast Asia. He said new infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, and educational institutions, will further strengthen this position and create employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth.
A key highlight of the visit was the foundation laying of the Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, a project worth approximately Rs. 24,000 crore. Calling it a transformative initiative, the Prime Minister said the corridor will be the first access-controlled high-speed route in the Northeast, significantly improving connectivity between Silchar and states such as Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura. He added that the corridor will also enhance trade links with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar, opening access to larger Southeast Asian markets.
“This is not just a highway project but the end of decades of waiting,” the Prime Minister said, underlining that improved connectivity will boost industries, tourism, and overall economic development in the region.
In addition, the Prime Minister highlighted the construction of a flyover in Silchar aimed at easing traffic congestion, benefiting residents as well as students of institutions such as Silchar Medical College, National Institute of Technology Silchar, and Assam University.
Rail infrastructure has also received a major boost, with over 2,500 kilometres of railway lines in Assam now electrified. The Prime Minister said this will enable faster train services while contributing to environmental sustainability in Barak Valley.
Farmers and tea garden workers
Focusing on agriculture, he noted the contribution of farmers and tea garden workers to Assam’s economy. He said the government is committed to their welfare through initiatives like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. According to him, farmers in Assam have received over Rs. 20,000 crore under the scheme so far, with the latest instalment recently released.
In a significant step for agricultural development, the Prime Minister announced the commencement of the construction of Barak Valley’s first Agriculture College at Patharkandi. He said the institution will support farmers with modern techniques and encourage youth to explore agricultural entrepreneurship and startups.
The Prime Minister also highlighted welfare measures for tea garden workers, including the granting of land rights to thousands of families. He described this as a historic step that will ensure dignity, security, and access to government welfare schemes such as housing, electricity, water, and cooking gas.
Education, healthcare and skill development
He further emphasized the government’s focus on education, healthcare, and skill development in Assam. Several institutions, including IITs, IIMs, medical colleges, AIIMS, and cancer hospitals, are being established to strengthen the region’s human capital and make Assam a hub for education and healthcare.
The Prime Minister said Assam is also emerging as an important player in next-generation technologies, including the semiconductor sector, creating new opportunities for the youth. He credited the current phase of peace and stability in the state for enabling such progress.
Highlights
• North-East India is the center of India’s Act East Policy; It is becoming a bridge that connects India with South-East Asia.
• The farmers of Barak Valley and tea garden workers have made a significant contribution to Assam’s development; the Government is continuously working for farmers’ welfare.
• We consider border villages as the nation’s first villages; the next phase of the Vibrant Village Programme was launched from Cachar district to boost development in several Barak Valley villages as well.
Border infrastructure growth
Highlighting broader infrastructure growth, the Prime Minister said the expansion of connectivity across the Northeast is bringing the region closer to the rest of India. He also referred to the Vibrant Villages Programme, launched from Assam’s Cachar district, aimed at developing border villages and integrating them into the mainstream development process.
In his address, the Prime Minister contrasted the current pace of development with what he described as decades of neglect by previous governments, stating that the Northeast had long been disconnected from national priorities. He said the “double-engine government” is now ensuring rapid and inclusive development in the region.
Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that Barak Valley will soon be recognized as a major centre of growth, driven by improved connectivity, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. He thanked the people for their overwhelming support and said their participation reflects strong confidence in the region’s development trajectory.