AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, Aug 4 (TIWN): Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on July 31 while inaugurating Tripura Sundari Express said that action for Modi Govt. specially for North east region will not be ended just by one Train inauguration to Delhi. This is just the beginning of North East's infrastructure developments, said Prabhu. “The modernization of railways in North East is very important and Govt. is thinking how to develop the more projects with more facilities". "Two budgets on Railways have already been placed. In 2015, it was Rs. 1 lakhs crores and next year we are planning to invest atleat 1.30 lankh crores to improve Railway infrastructures" said Prabhu. Railways, Highways, Airports expansions are larger plans of Central Govt to develop this backward region on par with rest of India.

One of the reasons for the US's interest in integration of northeast India with southeast Asia is a "lurking concern" about China's looming presence in the region, a political science expert said in Kolkata on Thursday. 

Railway Minister Minister also said, “In 2- 3 years, the budget has been increased to enable extra spending on railways. In 2014-15 it was 5,489 crores, in 2015-16 it was 6,100 crores, in 2016-17 the target will be atleast Rs. 7,000 crores. 

Modi Govt. is working towards NE India’s rapid infrastructure development to counter China’s strategic aggression over Arunachal and Southeast Asia region.

"Regional integration (by the US) is seen as a good thing as it will lead to prosperity and greater prosperity means greater trade with the US and the possibilities of American investment," Sumit Ganguly, director, Centre on American and Global Security at Indiana University, told media at Kolkata.

"... and it would be dishonest not to say at least one word... a lurking concern about China's looming presence particularly in Myanmar, Thailand and in Bangladesh," Ganguly said when quizzed on the US interest in linking northeast India with southeast Asia.

"It highlights both the challenges and the promises that are involved in linking northeast India to the southeast of Asia," he said.

Ganguly, who holds the Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilisations at the varsity, pointed out not enough has been done despite the announcement of the Look East policy.

"Despite physical proximity, not enough benefit has accrued to this part of the world and not enough has been done despite the announcement of the Look East policy as early as 1992 and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls it Act East."

The report launch was organised by the US Consulate General-Kolkata, Centre on American and Global Security of Indiana University (IU-CAGS), Observer Research Foundation and Oxford University Press at Kolkata.

Agreeing the fact that the rest of India is yet to be connected with proper railway service Union Railway Minister said, “It’s true the Central Govt. so far failed to increase the rail network in each corners of the country, but this is due to last ruling Congress Govt.’s negligence and various faults in Railway service. We are planning to do something out of budget also”.

Stressing upon the importance of connectivity he said, “ The 8 NE states income will be increase more and more with this railway connectivity”. However he also said Central Govt. taking initiatives to deal various projects with ICTC company to modernize the railway connectivity further”.

Union Minister Prabhu also said, “I am very happy today as we are launching 2 important programmes on a same day : One connects the NE India with India’s central point Delhi another with the neighboring country”.