Committed to curb corruption, brought Michel to India: Narendra Modi

Dibrugarh: Asserting that his government is committed to curbing corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday cited the extradition of AgustaWestland chopper scam accused Christian Michel from UAE to India to underline his point.

"Our government is committed to fighting corruption," he said while inaugurating the country's largest rail-road Bogibeel bridge which will significantly reduce travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. "Four years ago, nobody could even think that the biggest 'Razdaar' (custodian of secrets) in the helicopter scam could be brought to India.

But he has been brought here by our government," Modi said. He was referring to the extradition of Michel from the UAE earlier this month in connection with irregularities in Rs 3,600 crore deal signed in 2010 for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland company.

The inauguration of the bridge coincided with the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, under whose government the work for the bridge started in 2002. Modi took a veiled dig at the erstwhile Congress government, saying after Vajpayee lost power in 2004 several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed, which, in turn, adversely impacted the nations’ development trajectory.

“Vajpayee ji had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel bridge. This bridge is also a tribute to that vision of Atal Ji. When Vajpayee’s government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed,” Modi said.

Talking about infrastructure, Modi said his government in the last four years has built three bridges over Brahmaputra river that is equivalent to the number of bridges made in 60-70 years after the independence. Modi said: "The delayed infrastructure projects were adversely impacting India's development trajectory. When we assumed office, we added speed to these projects and work towards their quick completion."

The Bogibeel project was a part of the 1985 Assam Accord and was sanctioned in 1997-98. The foundation stone was laid by then prime minister HD Deve Gouda on January 22, 1997, but the commencement of work on the project was done by Vajpayee on April 21, 2002.

After inaugurating the bridge that connects Dhemaji and Dibrugarh, Modi and his cavalcade took a ride, stopping in the middle and waving at thousands of people waiting on either side. The PM also flagged off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express.

The train will run five days a week. Calling the bridge a lifeline for crores of people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Modi said it would also boost the economy and improve trade. The bridge would help the patients in North East with improved connectivity and faster transportation, the PM said.

“The people of Assam have made a strong contribution towards the development of our nation. Several stalwarts from Assam were involved in the freedom struggle as well,” he said.

The double-decker bridge, the fourth across the Brahmaputra, has two railway lines on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the upper, strong enough to withstand movement of heavy military tanks.

The Bogibeel Bridge, which will have a serviceable period of around 120 years, is India’s only fully welded bridge for which European welding standards were adhered to for the first time in the country. Modi was greeted earlier by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi upon his arrival at Dibrugarh Airport.