Itanagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the transformation of the Northeast under his government since 2014 while inaugurating and laying the foundation of projects worth over ₹5,100 crore in Arunachal Pradesh. He also released an open letter on the new “next-generation” GST reforms, claiming they would bring direct benefits to households and businesses across the country.

Development push in Arunachal Pradesh

Addressing a gathering in Itanagar, Modi said that despite Arunachal Pradesh’s natural resources and hardworking people, successive governments in Delhi had neglected the state because of its small population and just two Lok Sabha seats. He accused the Congress of treating the Northeast as an afterthought.

“Governance will no longer be confined to Delhi. The Northeast is now central to our growth priorities,” the Prime Minister said. He pointed out that Union ministers had made over 800 visits to the region since 2014 and that he himself had travelled there 70 times.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation of two major hydropower projects — the 240 MW Heo Hydro Electric Project and the 186 MW Tato-I Hydro Electric Project — both worth over ₹3,700 crore. Developed jointly by NEEPCO and the Arunachal Pradesh government, the projects are expected to strengthen the state’s role as a power producer, create employment for local youth and provide affordable electricity.

Modi also launched work on a state-of-the-art convention centre in Tawang, located at an altitude of 9,820 feet. With a capacity to host 1,500 delegates, the centre will cater to conferences, cultural festivals and exhibitions, supporting tourism and cultural exchange.

The Prime Minister further cited completed infrastructure such as the Sela Tunnel as symbols of progress and said that the Centre was working to build heliports under the UDAN scheme to improve last-mile connectivity in the Northeast.

Visit to Tripura

From Arunachal, Modi travelled to Tripura to inaugurate the redeveloped 524-year-old Tripura Sundari Temple Complex, considered one of the 51 Shakti Peeths.

GST reforms to ease household budgets

On the same day, Modi released a letter on his X handle detailing the rollout of new GST reforms, which he described as “next-generation” changes. He said the reforms would ease monthly expenses for households and support farmers, women, youth, traders, and MSMEs.

The Prime Minister said that the new GST rates had made building homes, purchasing two-wheelers, dining out and travelling more affordable. Essential household items such as kitchen supplies, children’s educational materials, footwear and clothing would also cost less, he said, calling it a “GST Savings Festival”.

“I see today’s reforms as a memorable milestone for the people, especially women managing household budgets,” Modi told the gathering in Itanagar.

Double-engine government advantage

Modi underlined that the development works in the Northeast reflected the “double benefit” of having the BJP in power both in Delhi and in the states. He said that the Centre had raised the budget for the region’s development multiple times since 2014, ensuring that governance reached the last mile.