ZODIN SANGA
AIZAWL, Dec 16: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, in his maiden visit to Mizoram as Prime
Minister, dedicated the 60 MW Tuirial hydel
project to the nation here on Saturday.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the hydro
project located in northern Mizoram’s Kolasib district
via satellite link from Assam Rifles ground
here where he addressed a huge public gathering.
“Today, we gather here to celebrate a significant
mile-stone in the history of Mizoram: the completion
and dedication of the 60 Mega Watt Tuirial
Hydropower Project. It is the first large hydropower
project in Mizoram. It will boost the socioeconomic
development of the State,” said the PM.
Modi said the hydel project that would generate
250 million units of power per year will boost the
socio-economic development of the State.
“With this, Mizoram becomes the third power
sufficient State in the Northeastern region, after
Sikkim and Tripura,” he said, adding that the Central
Government would aim to make Mizoram a
major power exporter by tapping its power potential.
Saying that Mizoram has huge potential in hydro
power, Modi said, “I see no reason why Mizoram
cannot become a power exporter.”
The project, built at a cost of Rs 1,302 crore,
took nearly two decades to complete since the Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
cleared it in July, 1998 with commissioning scheduled
in July, 2006. After completion of about 30 per
cent of the project activities, works were suspended
in June, 2004, due to an agitation. With sustained
efforts by NEEPCO and after getting support
from Ministry of Power and DoNER and the
State Government, the stalled work of the project
resumed in January, 2011.
The Prime Minister said the project was first
cleared by the Vajpayee Government in 1998
but got delayed. “The completion of this project is a reflection of our commitment to complete
ongoing projects and usher in a new era of development
in the Northeastern region,” the
Prime Minister added.
Modi said that during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure,
significant work was done for the development
of the North East. “We have taken forward
this vision and are devoting resources for the
progress of NE. My Ministerial colleagues are frequently
visiting the NE,” he added.
“We are working with a vision that in order to
share your problems and issues, you won’t have to
come to Delhi. Instead, Delhi would come and work
for you. We have named a policy on this as well,”
says Modi. “There have been over 150 Ministerial
visits,” he said, while elaborating on the Ministry
of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER),”
he said.
Modi said that he was enthralled by the beauty of
Mizoram. “My visit to this beautiful State today,
brings back fond memories of time spent with the
people of Mizoram,” the PM said and wished people
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Union
Minister of State (independent charge) for Power
RK Singh and DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh,
who gave welcome address and vote of thanks respectively
at the function.
After addressing the public meeting, Modi left
for Meghalaya.
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