Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Northeast is a new engine of development in the country.

“Netaji said Manipur was the gateway to India's independence and now we are going to make it the gate of New India's development saga,” Modi said.

While addressing a public rally in Imphal, Prime Minister Modi said that everyone is witnessing what the previous governments did with the Northeast in the past decades. PM Modi alleged that all key development projects for Manipur were lying in a ditch during the previous governments’ tenures.

“Projects worth Rs 12 lakh crore were lying in a ditch and remained in files during the tenures of previous governments. Projects worth Rs 100 crore would be completed at an escalated cost of Rs 200-250 crore and it is a misuse of national wealth,” Modi said.

“For the first time during Atal ji's government, this important area of the country was taken to the path of development. Now, we have brought Delhi to your door. We have changed the separation into attachment, because of such constant efforts. Today, the entire Northeast is going through a major phase of change due to these efforts. Projects, which stuck for 30-40 years have been completed and trying to make your life easier,” Modi said.

PM Modi said that under the Go To Hills and Go To Village missions, the state government is reaching far-flung areas, and these efforts to make public participation part of government schemes are commendable. This is the reason that Manipur is now busy in fulfilling hopes and aspirations.

“I have visited the Northeast about 30 times in the last four and a half years. I feel different happiness, get experience when I meet you, talk to you. I do not have to get the report card from the officer, I received it directly from you and this is the difference in earlier and today,” Modi said.

“Today Manipur has got the gift of Integrated Check Post, made at a cost of more than Rs 125 crore. This is not just a check post, there is also a centre for dozens of facilities. This check post, located on India's Myanmar border, will provide passenger and business facilities. We realise that the delay in planning is mostly the loss of the poor, the common man of the country,” Modi said.

Modi further said that today, Manipur is headed on the path of development on every scale.

PM Modi had inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 12 development projects worth Rs 1,500 crore, including the integrated check post in Tengnoupal district, Dolaithabi Barrage project of Imphal east district, FCI food storage go down in Imphal east district and the Buffer water reservoirs in Ukhrul district.