A massive development push collides with political criticism as Prime Minister Modi unveils multi-billion projects in Manipur while questions of peace, rehabilitation, and timing dominate the discourse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for development initiatives worth over ₹7,300 crore in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Saturday, marking one of the most ambitious investment drives in the state in recent years. The announcement included a series of projects spanning critical infrastructure, urban development, women’s empowerment, and technology, underscoring the government’s push for inclusive and sustainable growth in the North East. While the developments were welcomed by many as transformative, opposition voices raised sharp criticism over the timing of the Prime Minister’s visit, accusing him of arriving too late in a region grappling with unrest and prolonged suffering.
At a public gathering in Churachandpur, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement Project, valued at over ₹3,600 crore. He also laid the foundation for five National Highway projects worth more than ₹2,500 crore, signaling the government’s focus on improving connectivity in a region where road infrastructure has long been a barrier to growth. Additionally, the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) initiative was launched to boost digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship, while Working Women Hostels are set to be constructed across nine locations in the state to encourage women’s participation in the workforce.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi traveled to Imphal, where he inaugurated projects worth over ₹1,200 crore. These included the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, the IT SEZ Building, and new Police Headquarters, along with Manipur Bhawans in Delhi and Kolkata. A highlight was the announcement of Ima Markets in four districts, a women-led initiative aimed at strengthening local entrepreneurship and giving traditional markets a modernized platform for growth.
Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister also dedicated Mizoram’s first broad-gauge rail link between Bairabi and Sairang, calling it a “lifeline of transformation.” Addressing the gathering remotely from Lengpui airport due to adverse weather, he declared that the railway line would revolutionize transportation, enhance access to markets, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and businesses in Mizoram. He further praised Mizoram’s historical contribution to India’s freedom movement and its role in nation-building, stressing that infrastructure development in the North East was central to his government’s agenda of inclusive growth.
The day’s events demonstrated the government’s dual approach of physical infrastructure expansion and social empowerment, with a strong emphasis on boosting connectivity, digital growth, and women-led entrepreneurship. For supporters, these projects represent a long-awaited leap forward that could accelerate Manipur’s integration into the broader economic fabric of India. However, for the opposition, the visit also opened up an opportunity to highlight what they see as deep failures in governance and neglect of the state’s urgent humanitarian needs.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was one of the strongest voices of criticism, stating, “I am glad that he has decided after 2 years that it’s worth his visiting. He should have visited much long before.” She accused the Prime Minister of allowing prolonged suffering in Manipur and argued that countless lives could have been saved had he intervened earlier. “It is very unfortunate that he has allowed what is happening there to happen for so long, so many people to get killed and so many people to go through so much strife before he has decided to visit,” she added, framing his arrival as too little, too late.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also joined in the attack, denouncing the trip as “tokenism” and a “pitstop,” further calling it “a grave insult to a wounded people.” His comments on social media gained traction among those critical of the government’s handling of the prolonged unrest in Manipur.
In preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit to Imphal, stringent security measures were implemented across the city. Heavy deployment of police and security personnel was reported, with visuals showing barricaded streets and checkpoints. The state capital was adorned with flags and decorations to welcome the leader, but reactions among residents were mixed. While some expressed optimism about the promised development, others voiced skepticism about whether the government’s initiatives would address the underlying issues of peace and rehabilitation in the state.
Observers note that Modi’s announcement comes at a sensitive time. Manipur has faced ongoing violence, ethnic tensions, and prolonged periods of unrest that have destabilized communities. For many, the primary need remains peace, security, and rehabilitation of affected families. While large-scale infrastructure projects signal long-term growth, questions remain over whether the government is addressing the state’s most immediate and pressing humanitarian challenges.
Analysts point out that the projects unveiled in Churachandpur and Imphal also align with the government’s broader strategy for the North East, which emphasizes connectivity, empowerment, and integration with national and global markets. By investing in highways, digital infrastructure, and women-led entrepreneurship, the government aims to create a framework for inclusive development that can bridge historical gaps in the region. However, critics argue that development without peace risks being superficial, as unrest undermines both investment and long-term sustainability.
The Prime Minister’s emphasis on women-led entrepreneurship through the Ima Markets project resonated strongly with sections of the community, given Manipur’s long tradition of women-run marketplaces. This initiative, combined with Working Women Hostels, has been seen as a meaningful step toward empowering women economically and socially. Yet the challenge remains in ensuring that these benefits reach the grassroots and are not overshadowed by broader political and social instability.
The Mizoram rail project also drew significant attention as it opens up a state long constrained by its difficult geography. By connecting Bairabi and Sairang through a broad-gauge line, the government hopes to reduce isolation, expand market access, and improve opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs. Modi’s remarks describing it as a “lifeline of transformation” underscored his vision of infrastructure as a catalyst for regional growth.
Despite these ambitious plans, opposition criticism continues to highlight the perceived gap between promise and delivery. The charge of tokenism reflects skepticism over whether development announcements are being matched with meaningful steps to restore peace and address humanitarian concerns. The debate now centers on whether Modi’s ₹7,300 crore push can deliver real change or whether it risks being remembered as another symbolic gesture overshadowed by ongoing unrest.
In the days ahead, the effectiveness of these initiatives will depend not only on project implementation but also on the government’s ability to reconcile development with healing. For Manipur, the challenge remains as much about rebuilding trust and harmony as it is about constructing roads, markets, and digital networks.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit has undoubtedly placed Manipur at the center of national attention, but whether the region’s future is defined by transformation or turmoil will depend on how promises are matched with action in the weeks and months to come.
