The Prime Minister launched development projects worth Rs 235.5 billion (bn) from Silchar in Assam and performed the bhumi pujan for three projects in the Barak Valley. The schemes comprise the Silchar High-Speed Corridor at an estimated cost of Rs 228.6 bn, the Silchar Town Flyover at about Rs 5.65 bn and the Patharkandi College of Agriculture at about Rs 1.22 bn. The announcement was made at a public ceremony in Cachar district. He said that southern Assam's Barak Valley is emerging as a strategic link to Southeast Asia and that the North East is taking a lead in the government's Act East policy. He alleged that the region had been neglected in earlier decades and that renewed connectivity projects aim to restore its trade role. The high-speed corridor was characterised as the first access-controlled expressway in the region. The 166 km corridor is expected to reduce the distance between Guwahati and Silchar and cut travel time from eight and a half hours to about five hours, thereby enhancing economic activity and cross-border trade. The project will improve links between Meghalaya and Assam and is projected to boost movement of goods and people across the Barak Valley. Officials noted that the expressway will be a historic infrastructure addition for the North East. The elevated corridor on National Highway 306 in Silchar will decongest a major urban route and improve connectivity with neighbouring states including Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, supporting regional commerce. The new college of agriculture at Patharkandi will strengthen agricultural research and education, providing local students access to higher quality training closer to home. The Prime Minister also referred to global conflicts and said the government was working to shield citizens from adverse impacts.