Three years of Modi govt: Demonetization was tough, but 125 crore stood by us, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that demonetization was a very tough decision for him to take but the people stood by him. On the third anniversary of the BJP-led NDA government, Modi thanked the 125 crore people of the country for standing by him in every decision his government took. "Demonetization was a very tough decision. (Opposition) Political leaders tried to create anger and provoke the people. But with the people's blessings, my government withstood all the problems.

"Our support grew, despite tough decisions. People can see the change now," Modi, whose government completed three years today, said here at a public really here. On the issue of black money, Modi said, "We had decided to take strong steps against black money in the very first meeting of the Union Cabinet. The black money seized from the corrupt will go back to the poor. I'll face problems, but won't hesitate to do it as I had promised this to the people".

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's longest bridge over the Lohit river in Assam on the third anniversary of his government and said the NDA dispensation was working to make the northeast region a trade hub for southeast Asia.

Dedicating to the nation the 9.15 km-long bridge, named after Dadasaheb Phalke awardee and legendary lyricist-singer Bhupen Hazarika who hailed from Sadiya, he said it will serve as the foundation for a new economic revolution and help India in its efforts to become a superpower.

Speaking on the Act East Policy, the prime minister said he wanted the northeast region to become a trade hub for southeast Asia by connecting the area for economic activity.

"For this, we are laying stress on development of infrastructure and making the northeast a tourism centre. Lakhs of tourists would also come to Kamakhya temple and improve the economy," he said.

"Stress in now being laid on what was never done earlier... Electricity, roads, rail infrastructure and optical fibre network in the northeast will connect every corner of the region with the country," Modi said.

"The bridge will not only save money, reduce travel time but comes as a foundation for the beginning of a new economic revolution. That is why the whole nation has its eyes on this bridge," he said.

"The reduction of distance by 165 km and cutting travel time by seven to eight hours will open new doors for economic development... The bridge will bring development to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

"For fulfilling India's dream of becoming a top economically developed nation, a superpower, the northeast region is the place to begin with," Modi said.

"If development is to be made permanent, then infrastructure is the first requirement. It is on the two tracks of physical infrastructure and social infrastructure that complete development is achieved," he said.

The prime minister said the government has been striving for long-lasting development by creating permanent infrastructure for fulfilling the nation's dreams.

Modi said the bridge would open new road for the high- quality ginger grown by farmers of the region and improve their economic condition.

If the farmers take up organic ginger farming, a global market would open up for them, he said.

Greeting the people here in Assamese, Modi asked them to switch on the torches of their mobiles to "show to the nation that you are celebrating the occasion".

Amidst cheers by the gathering, Modi said he considered himself fortunate to be here as Gujarat, where Dwarikanath is from, is his birthplace, and Sadiya, which was known as Kundil Nagar, was where Lord Krishna had come.

He recalled the role played by the former MLA Jagadish Bhuyan in the construction of the bridge as it was he who wrote to then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on May 29, 2003.

"The government changed in the middle and your dreams got paused. If work had continued then you would have had the bridge 10 years ago. In the last three years efforts started to complete Vajpayee's work," Modi said.

He said Assam Chief Minister Sarbanada Sonowal in the first one year of his government is trying to bring the state out of the condition it was in when he took over the reins.