Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the new terminal building at Guwahati's Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Saturday. He described the event as a celebration of progress for Assam and the entire northeastern region of India.
A Transformative Milestone for Assam
Addressing a public rally, the Prime Minister framed the inauguration as a pivotal moment for the state's economic growth and global integration. He declared that the event marked a "festival of development and progress" for Assam and the Northeast. Modi emphasized that when the benefits of progress reach the people, it elevates every aspect of their lives.
He invoked the words of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, stating that the banks of the Brahmaputra would now shine and walls of darkness would be broken. The PM stressed this was not just a lyric but a solemn promise being fulfilled by his government. Drawing a parallel, he said, "Just as the mighty currents of the Brahmaputra never stop, similarly under our governments at the Union and state, the stream of development in Assam continues uninterrupted."
Honoring Heritage and Correcting Past Neglect
During the ceremony, Modi also unveiled a towering statue of Gopinath Bordoloi, Assam's first Chief Minister after Independence. He praised Bordoloi as a leader who fiercely protected Assam's identity and interests, adding that the statue would inspire future generations with pride.
The Prime Minister highlighted the terminal's unique design, which incorporates bamboo, local orchid motifs, and landscapes inspired by Kaziranga National Park. He said this blend showcases "development along with heritage." Modern airports, he noted, act as gateways to new possibilities and build public trust.
Modi contrasted the current push for development with what he termed decades of neglect by previous governments. He claimed that earlier regimes had questioned the need for modern infrastructure in the region. "Mistakes committed over six to seven decades are now being corrected one by one," he asserted.
Northeast as India's New Growth Gateway
The Prime Minister outlined a series of achievements in the Northeast over the past eleven years, including projects worth lakhs of crores of rupees. He cited Assam's implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the installation of over 50 lakh smart prepaid meters as examples of progress. He also recalled the Guinness World Record Bihu performance in Guwahati as a symbol of the region's cultural resurgence.
Modi positioned the Northeast as the new gateway for India's development, pointing to new bridges over the Brahmaputra, the introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains, and increased cargo traffic on waterways. The new terminal, with an annual capacity of 1.3 crore passengers, is expected to significantly boost tourism, facilitate pilgrimages to the Kamakhya Temple, and help local products reach international markets.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in the region's future. "Today the world is looking towards India with hope, and the new sunrise of India's future is to begin from the northeast," he said, calling for collective efforts to realize shared dreams with Assam's development at the forefront.
