Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid the foundation stones for multiple development initiatives in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, totaling over ₹7,300 crore. The projects are part of the government’s push for inclusive and sustainable growth and cover critical infrastructure, urban development, and women’s empowerment.
At a public event in Churachandpur, PM Modi inaugurated the Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement Project valued at over ₹3,600 crore. He also laid the foundation for five National Highway projects worth more than ₹2,500 crore, the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) initiative, and Working Women Hostels to be constructed across nine locations in the state.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Imphal, where he will inaugurate projects worth over ₹1,200 crore. These include the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, the IT SEZ Building and new Police Headquarters, Manipur Bhawans in Delhi and Kolkata, and the unique Ima Markets in four districts — women-led markets aimed at boosting local entrepreneurship.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi dedicated Mizoram’s first broad-gauge rail link between Bairabi and Sairang, calling it a “lifeline of transformation.” Addressing the crowd remotely from Lengpui airport due to adverse weather, he said the rail line would revolutionize transportation, improve access to markets, and boost the livelihoods of farmers and businesses in Mizoram. He also praised the state’s historical contribution to the freedom movement and nation-building.
Criticism from Opposition
The Prime Minister’s visit has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi accused PM Modi of visiting the state too late, saying, “I am glad that he has decided after 2 years that it’s worth his visiting. He should have visited much long before.”
She further charged the Prime Minister with allowing prolonged violence and suffering in Manipur, stating, “It is very unfortunate that he has allowed what is happening there to happen for so long, so many people to get killed and so many people to go through so much strife before he has decided to visit.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the visit as “tokenism,” calling it a “pitstop” and a “grave insult to a wounded people,” in a social media post.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Imphal, stringent security measures were put in place across the city. Visuals from the state capital showed extensive deployment of police and security personnel. The city was adorned to welcome the leader, with residents expressing mixed reactions — some hopeful about the promised development, while others echoed concerns over delayed governmental action amid ongoing unrest.
