India to develop northeast rail network

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined plans to develop the railway network in the country’s remote northeast.
The Economic Times reported Modi as saying this week that his government would spend INR280 billion (US$4.5bn) on new railways in the region.
“So many tourists are coming here from other parts of the country and abroad. This is the best destination for tourists. But for that we require connectivity. Unless we have road connectivity, rail connectivity, air connectivity, it is very difficult to develop tourism,” the PM said while inaugurating Nagaland’s biggest annual event, the Hornbill Festival.
“That is why for the development of this area and for the development of tourism, INR28,000 crore will be provided for a new railway line project and 14 new railway lines,” he added.
The rail project is one of several initiatives by the new government designed to boost living standards in northeast India. Modi has also sanctioned a INR50bn project to boost mobile phone coverage, and says he wants to provide “24-seven, 365 days power supply” for communities in northeast India.
Source: Traveldaily