Modi dedicates airport in Sikkim, attacks past governments on northeast development
Pakyong (Sikkim), Sep 24: Marking a new milestone in the country's aviation sector by bringing Sikkim into air network, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked the previous governments accusing them of having neglected the northeast and said in the last four years his government has opened 35 new airports.
"Today, it is not only a historic day for Sikkim but also for the country. After the inauguration of the Pakyong airport here the country has got its 100th airport," he said after dedicating Pakyong Airport to the nation in Sikkim.
Slamming the previous governments, the Prime Minister said that in the last four years his government has dedicated 35 airports to the nation.
"After independence till 2014, we had only 65 airports. That means in 67 years they developed only 65 airports, less than one airport in an year. But in last four years we had dedicated over 35 airports that means about nine airports every year," he said.
Emphasising on the connectivity in the northeastern states, Modi said that with the opening of the new airport in Sikkim, the distance between other parts of the country have been reduced.
Modi also said that in Sikkim and the northeast, work is on to expand both infrastructure and emotional connectivity.
The Pakyong Airport is Sikkim's first airport, located at a height of 4,500 ft above sea level. The airport is expected to give a huge boost to Sikkim's connectivity, especially tourism. As of now, the nearest airport for Sikkim is at a distance of 150-kilometres in West Bengal's Bagdogra.
It is located around 60-kilometres from the India-China border, giving it a huge strategic importance.
Pakyong Airport is part of Modi government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme that aims to provide low-cost connectivity to remote areas.
He said that he himself had come to the northeastern states several times to take stock of the development projects. "And due to my initiatives, every week or second a union minister always remain here in the region.
"And due to this, the development in the region is visible everywhere whether it is Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland or Tripura in the northeastern region."
Modi said "aeroplanes have reached here (Sikkim) for the first time, rail connectivity has reached the northeastern states for the first time, electricity at many places has reached for the first time, highways are being broadened in the northeastern region, roads in the villages are being built, big bridges over the rivers are being built, Digital India is being spread across the region".
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Two held for Rs 1.13 crore gold theft at Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan residence in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Shivajinagar Police have arrested two persons for allegedly stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 1.13 crore from the Pulakeshinagar residence of Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.
The accused have been identified as Ameer Ahmed and his associate Syed Ameer, Deccan Herald reported.
Police said Ameer Ahmed is known to the family and is a distant relative of the minister’s mother, Sogar Khanam. He had been visiting the house regularly and had reportedly gained the family’s trust by offering assistance.
According to police, He had suffered losses in his travel business and was in financial distress. He had allegedly sought Rs 5 lakh as financial help from the family and expressed a desire to travel to Mecca. When he didn't get help, Ahmed allegedly conspired with his associate Syed and carried out the theft.
Investigators said the duo pledged the stolen gold ornaments at a private finance company and invested the proceeds in real estate ventures.
Suspicion arose after Ahmed stopped visiting the house, following the theft. He also stopped responding to phone calls. His mobile phone remaining switched off post the incident, further raised doubts, leading police to track and arrest him.
During interrogation, both accused reportedly confessed to the crime. Based on the information provided, police recovered the stolen gold ornaments.
