Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20 addressed a public meeting in Guwahati after inaugurating the newly constructed terminal building at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, highlighting the importance of modern infrastructure in boosting economic growth and rebuilding confidence in Assam and the Northeast.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said modern airports and improved connectivity act as gateways to progress for any state. He noted that such infrastructure reflects growing confidence and strengthens people’s trust in governance.
Referring to recent developments, Modi said that the transformation visible in Assam’s airports and highways showed that the state was finally receiving the attention it deserved. He alleged that Assam and the Northeast had remained neglected during earlier Congress-led governments.
Targeting the opposition, the Prime Minister said his government was working to undo the damage caused over the past six to seven decades. Speaking about his personal bond with the region, he remarked that he always feels at home in the Northeast, regardless of how often others visit the area.
Modi also commended Assam’s administrative achievements, stating that the state has secured the top position in implementing the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Drawing a contrast with the past, he alleged that government jobs during the Congress era required “parchi and kharchi” — recommendations and bribes — a practice he claimed has now ended. “Today, thousands of young people are getting jobs purely on merit,” he said.
The new terminal building is expected to substantially increase passenger handling capacity and improve air connectivity, further strengthening Assam’s role as a major gateway to the Northeast.