PM participates in Sashakt Nari – Viksit Bharat programme

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today participated in Sashakt Nari – Viksit Bharat programme and witnessed agricultural drone demonstrations conducted by Namo Drone Didis at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi. Namo Drone Didis from 10 different locations nationwide also participated in the drone demonstration simultaneously. During the programme, the Prime Minister also handed over drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis. The Prime Minister also disbursed around Rs 8,000 crore Bank loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs) at subsidised interest rate through Bank Linkage Camps set up by  Banks in each district. The Prime Minister also disbursed about Rs 2,000 crore Capitalization Support Fund to SHGs. The Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries.

Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister called today’s occasion historic as Drone Didis and Lakhpati Didis are scripting new chapters of success. He said interacting with such successful women entrepreneurs fills him with confidence about the future of the nation. He praised the determination and persistence of the Nari Shakti. ‘This gave me confidence to embark on the journey of creating 3 crore lakhpati Didis’, he said.

“Any society can progress only through creating opportunities and ensuring the dignity of the Nari Shakti”, the Prime Minister said. PM Modi said with just a little bit of support Nari Shakti transcends the need for support and becomes support for others. The Prime Minister said he is the first Prime Minister who spoke from the ramparts of the Red Fort about issues of women empowerment like toilets for women, sanitary pads, unhealthy smoky kitchens, piped water to save the women daily inconvenience, Jan Dhan account for every women, against derogatory language for women and need to educated sons about the proper behaviour towards Nari Shakti.

“Modi’s sensitivities and Modi’s schemes have emerged from the experiences rooted in everyday life”, PM Modi said. Experience as lived the realities of life has informed these sensitivities and schemes, he said. That is why, these schemes bring ease of life for the mothers and daughters of the country.

The Prime Minister talked about schemes that are being brought to address the issues pertaining to Nari Shakti at every stage of their lives.  In order to stop foeticide Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Rs 6000 for nutrition of the expecting mothers, Sukanya Samriddhi for ensuring resources during education period, Mudra Yojana for helping them to get gainful foothold in entrepreneur arena, maternity leave expansion, free medical treatment, affordable medicines and enhancing ownership by registering PM Awas houses in the names of women, have brought change in the old mindset. He also acknowledged that the transformative influence of drone technology in agriculture is being steered by women of the nation.  Recalling his interaction with a Drone Didi, the Prime Minister elaborated on the sense of empowerment through income, skill and recognition of the Drone Didi. “I have full faith that Nari Shakti will lead the technology revolution in the country”, The Prime Minister added, mentioning strides by women in all fields. The Prime Minister elaborated on the expansion of drone technology in areas such as transporting milk and vegetable products to the market, medicine delivery etc opening new avenues for Drone Didis.

He stated, “The expansion of self-help groups in India over the past decade has been remarkable. These groups have rewritten the narrative of women empowerment in the country.” Acknowledging the pivotal role played by women in self-help groups, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude, saying, “I extend my heartfelt greetings to every sister in the self-help groups today. Their hard work has elevated these groups to become leaders in nation-building.” Prime Minister Modi emphasized the impressive growth of women’s participation in self-help groups, noting, “Today, the number of women in self-help groups has surpassed 10 crore.” Highlighting the government’s efforts to support self-help groups, Prime Minister Modi stated, “Over the past ten years, our government has not only expanded self-help groups but also facilitated the opening of bank accounts for 98% of these groups.” The assistance to such groups has been increased to 20 lakh rupees and more than 8 lakh crore rupees have been deposited to the accounts of such groups. The Prime Minister said that due to push for modern infrastructure, the income of these Self Help Groups have increased three fold.

In addition to economic empowerment, Prime Minister Modi praised the societal impact of self-help groups, stating, “These groups have contributed significantly to the development of rural infrastructure and the overall upliftment of rural communities.” The Prime Minister acknowledged the role and services of Bank Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi and Matasya Sakhi. “These Didis are giving new impetus to the country’s national campaigns, from health to Digital India. More than 50 percent of those running the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan are women and more than 50 percent of the beneficiaries are also women. This series of successes only strengthens my faith in Nari Shakti”, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister asked the Self Help Groups to come forward in implementation of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He said wherever members of Self Help Group take initiative, they will be given priority in the scheme.

Union Ministers Shri Arjun Munda, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Shri Giriraj Singh were among those present on the occasion.

The Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are integral to the Prime Minister’s vision of fostering economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas. In order to further this vision, Prime Minister will felicitate Lakhpati Didis, who have achieved success with the support of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission and are supporting and motivating other Self-Help Group members for their upliftment.

PM Modi launches Mahtari Vandan Yojana in Chhattisgarh

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“Our government is committed to ensuring the holistic well-being of every family, and this begins with the health and dignity of the women”

In a major boost to women empowerment in Chhattisgarh, The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today launched the Mahatari Vandana Yojana and disbursed the first instalment under The Scheme. The scheme has been launched in Chhattisgarh to provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month to eligible married women of the state as monthly DBT. It has been envisioned to ensure economic empowerment of women, provide them financial security, promote gender equality and strengthen the decisive role of women in the family.

The scheme will provide benefits to all eligible married women of the state who are above 21 years of age as of January 1, 2024. Widows, divorced, and deserted women will also be eligible for this scheme. Around 70 lakh women will benefit from the scheme.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister the Prime Minister bowed to the deities Maa Danteshwari, Maa Bambleshwari and Maa Mahamaya. PM Modi recalled his recent visit to the state where he dedicated and laid foundation stones of the projects worth Rs 35,000 crores. He said today the government has fulfilled its promise by disbursing the first instalment of Mahatari Vandana Yojana amounting to overall Rs 655 crore. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude towards the Nari Shakti connected from the various locations and apologized for not being physically present. He also conveyed his prayers for the welfare of the citizens that he offered at Kashi Vishwanath Dham last night. “You will get this 1000 rupees every month. This is Modi’s guarantee”, he said.

“When mothers and daughters get strong, the family gets strengthened and the welfare of the mothers and daughters is a priority for our government”, the Prime Minister said. Women are getting pucca houses and Ujjwala Gas Cylinders in their name. 50 percent Jan Dhan Accounts are in the name of women, 65 percent Mudra Loans have been availed by women, more than 10 crore SHG women have benefitted and more than 1 crore women have become lakhpati Didis. The Prime Minister reiterated the goal of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. PM Modi told them that Namo Didi programme is changing lives and tomorrow he will hold a major event in this regard.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of family well-being, emphasizing that a healthy family stems from the well-being of its women. Prime Minister Modi stated, “Our government is committed to ensuring the holistic well-being of every family, and this begins with the health and dignity of the women.” He underscored the need to address challenges faced by pregnant women, including maternal and infant mortality rates.

In response to these challenges, the Prime Minister announced several key measures, including free vaccinations for pregnant women and financial assistance of ₹5,000 during pregnancy to support expectant mothers. He also emphasized the provision of free healthcare services, up to ₹5 lakhs, for frontline workers such as Asha and Anganwadi workers.

Reflecting on past hardships faced by women due to lack of proper sanitation facilities, Prime Minister Modi remarked, “Gone are the days when our sisters and daughters had to endure pain and indignity due to the absence of toilets in their homes.” He highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure the dignity of women by providing toilets in every household.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to fulfilling promises made during elections, stating, “The government stands by its commitments and ensures their fulfillment.” He emphasized the successful implementation of the Mahatari Vandana Yojana, fulfilling assurances made to the people of Chhattisgarh.

Similarly, guarantee of 18 lakh pucca houses is being worked at with full determination, he said.

Regarding agricultural reforms, the Prime Minister assured farmers of timely payment of pending bonuses, honoring a pledge made to Chhattisgarh’s paddy farmers. He lauded the government’s efforts to support farmers, including the disbursal of bonuses amounting to ₹3,700 crores on the occasion of Atal Ji’s birth anniversary.

Highlighting the government’s procurement initiatives, Prime Minister Modi affirmed, “Our government will procure rice at a minimum support price of ₹3,100 per quintal in Chhattisgarh.” He celebrated the record procurement of 145 lakh tonnes of rice, fulfilling commitments to farmers and setting a new milestone.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, particularly women, in driving forward the agenda of inclusive development. He assured the people of Chhattisgarh of continued dedication and service from the BJP government, fulfilling its promises and ensuring progress for all.

Chief Minister of Chattisgarh,  Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Ministers and people’s representatives were among those present on the occasion.

PM inaugurates multiple development initiatives worth more than Rs 34,000 crore in Azamgarh

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth more than Rs 34,000 crores in an event at Azamgarh Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the change of such programme happening in places like Azamgarh instead of being held in Delhi. “Azamgarh, which was counted among the backward areas, is writing a new chapter of development today” PM Modi said. Today projects worth Rs 34,000 crore were either inaugurated or their foundation stones were laid from Azamgarh.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 15 airport projects across the country worth more than Rs 9800 crore. He inaugurated 12 new Terminal Buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of three new Terminal Buildings of Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi Airports. To illustrate the speed of the completion of airports, the Prime Minister informed that Gwalior terminal was completed in just 16 months. “This initiative will make air travel easier and accessible for the common citizens of the country”, he said. The Prime Minister emphasized that the record of the government of completing announced project in time repudiates the allegation of these projects being election gimmicks. “People are seeing that Modi is made of different material. I am working relentlessly to create a Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that along with airport, highway and railway infrastructure, projects related with education, water and environment received a new push today. Giving a new guarantee to the people of Azamgarh, the Prime Minister said that ‘Azamgarh will remain ‘Aajanm’ a ‘Vikas ka Garh’ (bastion of development forever). Breaking into local dialect, the Prime Minister said with airport, hospital and medical college, Azamgarh is no longer dependent on the neighbouring big cities.

The Prime Minister said that in the last 10 years, the region is seeing politics of development in place of the earlier politics of appeasement and dynasty. This trend got a new momentum under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, the Prime Minister said. He said cities like Aligarh, Moradabad,  Azamgarh, Shravasti which were ignored as backward areas of Uttar Pradesh are getting air connectivity due to rapid overall development. He said just like welfare schemes, modern infrastructure is moving beyond metro cities to small towns and villages. “Small cities have equal right to airports and good highways as big metro cities”
PM Modi emphasized. “We are increasing the strength of the tier 2 and tier 3 cities so that urbanization continues unabated”, said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of connectivity and infrastructure development in the region. He referred to the inauguration and foundation laying ceremonies of several railway projects, including those connecting districts like Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Gazipur, and Prayagraj. Azamgarh, Mau and Balia received the gift of many railway projects. In addition to railway projects, Prime Minister Modi underscored the government’s commitment to rural infrastructure development through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. He stated, “More than 5,000 kilometers of roads have been inaugurated under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, aiming to improve connectivity for the farmers and youth of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.”

Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the government’s focus on ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce. He talked about the substantial increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops, including sugarcane, stating, “Today, MSP for sugarcane farmers has been increased by 8 percent, reaching Rs. 340 per quintal.”

Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi addressed the historical challenges faced by sugarcane farmers in the region, emphasizing the government’s efforts to address their grievances. He noted, “Our government has settled pending dues worth thousands of crores for sugarcane farmers, providing them timely and fair payments.” He also elaborated on transformation brought about by initiatives in biogas and ethanol. Regarding PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, the Prime Minister informed that in Azamgarh itself 8 lakh farmers received 2,000 crore rupees under the scheme.

Highlighting the transformative impact of government initiatives, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need for honest governance to achieve rapid development. He stated, “Honest governance is essential for achieving unprecedented development. Our government is committed to eliminating corruption and ensuring transparent governance.”

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the government’s initiatives for Eastern Uttar Pradesh. He stated, “The establishment of Maharaja Suheldev Rajkiya Vishwavidyalaya and other initiatives will empower the youth and transform the educational landscape of the region.”

Highlighting UP’s pivotal role in shaping national politics and development, Prime Minister Modi emphasized how the state’s progress aligns with the nation’s growth trajectory. The Prime Minister commended UP for its exemplary implementation of central schemes under the double engine government and positioning the state among the top performers in this regard. He noted the significant investment made in UP over the past years, with infrastructure development and the creation of numerous opportunities for the youth being key outcomes.

PM Modi highlighted UP’s rising profile, fueled by record levels of investment, ground-breaking ceremonies, and the expansion of expressway networks and highways. He praised the state’s focus on improving law and order, exemplified by the completion of the historic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Background

Providing a major boost to the civil aviation sector, the Prime Minister inaugurated and lay the foundation stone of 15 airport projects across the country worth more than Rs 9800 crore. He will inaugurate 12 new Terminal Buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of three new Terminal Buildings of Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi Airports.

The 12 new Terminal Buildings will have a combined capacity to serve 620 Lakh passengers annually, while for the three Terminal Buildings whose foundation stone is being laid, once completed, the combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to 95 Lakh passengers per annum. These Terminal Buildings have state-of-the-art passenger amenities and are also equipped with various sustainability features like Double Insulated Roofing System, Provision of Canopies for energy saving, LED Lighting etc. The designs of these Airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of that state and city, thus reflecting the local culture and highlighting the heritage of the region.

One of the key focus areas of the Prime Minister has been providing housing for all. Guided by this vision, an innovative means to for achieving this has been the conceptualization of the Light House Project. Prime Minister inaugurated Light House Project (LHP) in Lucknow and Ranchi under which more than 2000 affordable flats have been built with modern infrastructure. The innovative construction technology employed in these LHPs will give the families a sustainable and futuristic living experience. Earlier, Prime Minister has inaugurated similar Light House Projects in Chennai, Rajkot and Indore. The foundation stone of these LHPs was laid by the Prime Minister on 1st January 2021.

For Ranchi LHP, Germany’s Precast Concrete Construction System – 3D Volumetric technology has been adopted. A unique feature of LHP Ranchi is that each room has been made separately and then the entire structure has been added like Lego Blocks toys.  LHP Lucknow has been constructed using Canada’s Stay In Place PVC Formwork with Pre-Engineered Steel Structural System.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of several road projects worth around Rs 11,500 crore in Uttar Pradesh. The road projects will improve connectivity, help reduce traffic congestion and will lead to socioeconomic development in the region.

The Prime Minister dedicate to nation and laid the foundation stone of several road projects worth more than Rs 19,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh. The projects dedicated to nation include three packages of four lane Lucknow Ring Road and six laning of Chakeri to Allahabad Section of NH-2. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the four-laning of western side spur of Rampur – Rudrapur; two packages of six-laning of Kanpur Ring Road, and four Laning of Raebareli – Prayagraj section of NH-24B/ NH-30. The road projects will improve connectivity, help reduce traffic congestion and will lead to socioeconomic development in the region.

The Prime Minister  dedicated to nation about 744 rural road projects worth more than Rs 3700 crore built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. These projects will result in the cumulative construction of over 5,400 KMs of rural roads in Uttar Pradesh, benefiting approximately 59 districts in the state. This will enhance connectivity and provide a significant boost to socio-economic development.

During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone of multiple rail projects worth around Rs 8200 crores, which will strengthen the rail infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh. He will dedicate doubling and electrification of multiple key rail sections. He will also dedicate to the nation Bhatni-Peokol bypass line which will end the problem of engine reversal at Bhatni and will facilitate seamless trains operation. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for gauge conversion of Bahraich-Nanpara-Nepalganj Road rail section. After completion of this project, the region will be connected to the metropolitan cities through a broad gauge line which will facilitate speedy development. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a new rail line from Ghazipur City and Ghazipur Ghat to Tarighat including a rail bridge over river Ganga. He will also flag off MEMU train service between Ghazipur City-Tarighat-Dildar Nagar Jn.

Further, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and dedicated multiple sewage treatment plants and other such projects in Prayagraj, Jaunpur and Etawah.

PM addresses ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal’ program in Siliguri, West Bengal

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal’ program in Siliguri, West Bengal today. He inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple projects of rail and road sector worth more than Rs 4500 crores in West Bengal.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed happiness to be present in the beautiful land of tea. He called today’s projects another step towards Viksit West Bengal.

The Prime Minister underlined that the Northern part of West Bengal is the gateway to the Northeast and also provides trade channels with neighbouring countries. Therefore, the Prime Minister said, the development of West Bengal along with the state’s Northern part has been the government’s priority. He emphasized the need for modernized rail and road infrastructure and mentioned the completion of work on the electrification of rail lines on Eklakhi – Balurghat, Raninagar Jalpaiguri – Haldibari and Siliguri – Aluabari sections which will increase the speed of trains in the areas of North and South Dinajpur, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri, while the Siliguri – Samuktala route will reduce pollution in the nearing forest areas. The electrification of Barsoi – Radhikapur section will benefit both Bihar and West Bengal, he said. Referring to the flagging off of new train service between Radhikapur and Siliguri, PM Modi said that the strengthening of railways in West Bengal will give momentum to new possibilities of development and make lives easier for the common people

The Prime Minister said that the government is committed to maintaining the same speed of trains in the region as the rest of India and modern fast trains are being launched. He mentioned rail connectivity with Bangladesh as Mitali Express is running from New Jalpaiguri to Dhaka Cantt and connectivity is being extended up to Radhikapur station in collaboration with Bangladesh Government.

Recalling the neglect of the interests of eastern India in the decades after Independence, the Prime Minister said that the current government considers eastern India the growth engine of the nation. That is why unprecedented investment is being made to improve connectivity in the region. The Prime Minister stated that the annual average railway budget for West Bengal which was just 4,000 crore rupees has now risen to Rs 14,000 crore.  The Prime Minister talked about semi high-speed Vande Bharat train from North Bengal to Guwahati and Howrah and the inclusion of Siliguri station in the 500 Amrit Bharat stations which have been taken up for upgradation. “In these 10 years, we have taken the railways development from passenger to express speed. In our third term this will move forward at superfast speed”, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister spoke about the inauguration of two road projects worth more than Rs 3,000 crores in Northern West Bengal. He said that four laning of Ghoshpukur – Dhupguri Section of NH 27 and four-lane Islampur Bypass will reduce traffic jams in the cities of Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Mainaguri while also providing better connectivity to the regions of Siliguri, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. “Reaching tourist destinations such as Duar, Darjeeling, Gangtok and Mirik will become easier”, PM Modi said, noting that it will also encourage trade, industry and the tea gardens of the region.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that the central government is making all efforts for the development of West Bengal and congratulated the citizens for the development projects of today.

Governor of West Bengal, Shri  C V Ananda Bose, Union Minister of States, Shri Nisith Pramanik and Members of Parliament, Shri Raju Bista were present on the occasion among other Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly.

Background

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation multiple projects of electrification of rail lines benefiting the people of North Bengal and nearby regions. The projects include Eklakhi – Balurghat section; Barsoi – Radhikapur section; Raninagar Jalpaiguri – Haldibari section; Siliguri – Aluabari section via Bagdogra and Siliguri – Sivok – Alipurduar Jn – Samuktala (including Alipurduar Jn – New Cooch Behar) section.

The Prime Minister also dedicated other important railway projects including the project for doubling of railway line in Manigram – Nimtita section; and automatic block signaling in Ambari Falakata – Aluabari including electronic Interlocking in New Jalpaiguri. The Prime Minister also flagged off a new passenger train service between Siliguri and Radhikapur. These rail projects will improve rail connectivity, facilitate freight movement and contribute to employment generation and economic growth in the region.

The Prime Minister inaugurated two National Highway projects worth Rs. 3,100 crores in West Bengal. The projects include four-lane Ghoshpukur – Dhupguri Section of NH 27 and four-lane Islampur Bypass on NH 27. The Ghoshpukur – Dhupguri Section is part of the North-South transport corridor connecting Eastern India with the rest of the country. The four laning of this section will lead to seamless connectivity between North Bengal & North-Eastern regions. The four-lane Islampur Bypass will help in reducing traffic congestion in Islampur town. The road projects will also provide impetus to industrial & economic growth in the region.

PM lays foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 17,500 crores in Assam

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 17,500 crores in Jorhat, Assam today. The development projects of today encompass the sectors of health, oil and gas, rail and housing.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the huge crowd present on the occasion and also acknowledged 2 lakh people joining from 200 different places in the state. Shri Modi also noted the lighting of thousands of diyas by the people of Kolaghat and said that the love and affection of the people make for his biggest asset. He affirmed giving momentum to the development of Assam by laying the foundation stone and dedicating to the nation development projects worth about Rs 17,500 crores today pertaining to the sectors of health, housing and petroleum.

Talking about his visit to Kaziranga National Park, the Prime Minister called it a unique national park and tiger reserve and underlined the attraction of its biodiversity and ecosystem of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. “70 percent of the single-horned rhinos are in Kaziranga”, he said. He also talked about the experience of finding wildlife such as swamp deer, tiger, elephant and wild buffalo. The Prime Minister pointed out how the rhino became endangered due to negligence and criminal collaboration and recalled the hunting of 27 rhinos in a single year in 2013. This number was brought down to zero in 2022 by the efforts of the government. Greeting the people of Assam on the golden jubilee year of Kaziranga, the Prime Minister exhorted the citizens to visit the national park.

The Prime Minister mentioned unveiling the magnificent statue of Veer Lachit Borphukan today and said, “Veer Lachit Borphukan is the symbol of Assam’s valor and determination”. He also recalled celebrating his 400th birth anniversary with great pomp and honor in 2002 in New Delhi and bowed before the brave warrior.

“Vikas bhi aur Virasat Bhi’ development as well as heritage has been the Mantra of our double engine government, ” said the Prime Minister. He said that Assam has made rapid strides in infrastructure, health and energy sectors. Health infrastructure like AIIMS, Tinsukia Medical College, Shiv Sagar Medical College and  Cancer Hospital in Jorhat will make Assam a medical hub for the entire northeast, he said.

The Prime Minister also touched upon the dedication of Barauni – Guwahati Pipeline under PM Urja Ganga Yojna to the nation. He informed that the gas pipeline will connect the Northeastern grid with the national grid and help supply gas to 30 lakh homes and more than 600 CNG stations, thereby benefiting people from more than 30 districts of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.

Speaking about the inauguration of the expansion of Digboi Refinery and Guwahati Refinery, the Prime Minister said that the previous governments had neglected the long-standing demand of the people to expand the capacity of refineries in Assam. He emphasized that with the efforts of the present government, the total capacity of refineries in Assam will now double while that of Numaligarh Refinery will triple. “Development of any region takes place at a fast pace when intentions for development are strong”, he added.

He congratulated 5.5 lakh families who got their pucca house today. He said that these houses are not just houses but are fitted with amenities like toilets, gas connections, electricity and piped water connection. Till now 18 lakh families have been provided such houses, he informed. He expressed happiness about the fact that most of these houses are in the name of the women.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to make the life of every woman of Assam easy and improve her savings, the Prime Minister mentioned yesterday’s decision of reducing the price of a gas cylinder by Rs 100 on Women’s Day. Schemes like Ayushman Cards are also benefiting women. Under the  Jal Jeevan Mission, more than 50 lakh households have received piped water connections in Assam. He also reiterated his commitment to creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis.

Highlighting the historic transformations that took place in Assam after 2014, the Prime Minister mentioned providing land rights to more than 2.5 lakh landless natives and connecting about 8 lakh tea garden workers with the banking system leading to the transfer of government benefits directly into their bank accounts. This, the Prime Minister said, closed all the doors for middlemen.

“Development of Northeast is imperative for a Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister asserted. He further said “Modi considers the entire Northeast his family. That is why we are also focussing on the projects that are lying pending for years”, he said. He mentioned projects like the bridge on Saraighat, Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, Bogibeel Bridge, extension of railway broad gauge till Barak Valley, Multi-modal Logistics Park, Jogighopa, two new bridges on Brahmaputra River and 18 waterways in the Northeast as opposed to 1 in Assam in 2014. He said that these projects created new possibilities in the region.  He also mentioned the UNNATI Scheme which was approved in the last Cabinet meeting in new form with expanded scope. The Cabinet has also increased the MSP for Jute which will benefit the jute farmers of the state.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the love and affection of the people and said that every Indian is his family. “The love of the people is ushered upon Modi not only because he believes that 140 crore citizens of India are his family, but because he is also serving them day and night”, the Prime Minister said, highlighting that today’s occasion represents this belief. He concluded by congratulating the citizens for the development projects of today with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoing through the scene.

Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister, Shri Sarbanada Sonowal were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme including the Medical College & Hospital at Sivasagar and a Hemato-Lymphoid center in Guwahati. He also laid the foundation stone for important projects in the oil and gas sector including the capacity expansion of Digboi Refinery from 0.65 to 1 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum); Guwahati Refinery Expansion (1.0 to 1.2 MMTPA) along with installation of Catalytic Reforming Unit (CRU);  and augmentation of Facilities at Betkutchi (Guwahati) Terminal: Indian Oil Corporation Limited, among others.

The Prime Minister dedicated to nation important projects like new medical Medical College and Hospital at Tinsukia; and 718 Km long Barauni – Guwahati Pipeline (part of Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project) built at a cost of about Rs 3,992 crore, among others. The Prime Minister also inaugurated about 5.5 lakh homes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), constructed at a total cost of about Rs.8,450 crore;

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation important railway projects worth more than Rs 1300 crore in Assam including Dhupdhara-Chhaygaon section (part of New Bongaigaon – Guwahati Via Goalpara Doubling Project) and New Bongaigaon – Sorbhog Section (part of New Bongaigaon – Agthori  Doubling Project).

PM addresses Viksit Bharat Viksit North East Program in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed Viksit Bharat Viksit North East Program in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh today. Shri Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth about Rs 55,600 crores in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. He also dedicated Sela Tunnel to the nation and launched the UNNATI scheme worth about Rs 10,000 crores. The development projects of today encompass sectors like rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, IT, Power, Oil and Gas, among others.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted the ongoing national festival of Viksit Bharat from Viksit Rajya. He acknowledged the new enthusiasm among the people of the Northeast for Viksit Northeast.  He expressed gratitude for the support of Nari Shakti for the initiative.

Reiterating his vision of ‘Ashtalakshmi’ for the development of the Northeast, the Prime Minister called the region a strong link of tourism, business and cultural relations with South and Southeast Asia. Talking about the Rs 55,000 crore rupees projects of today, the Prime Minister said 35,000 thousand families of Arunachal Pradesh got their pucca houses, piped water connections for thousands of families of Arunachal and Tripura and connectivity-related projects for many states of the region. These education, road, railways, infrastructure, hospitals, and tourism projects have come with a guarantee of a Viksit Northeast, he added. He further said that the allocation of funds in the last 5 years is four-fold more than the earlier times.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Mission Palm Oil, a special campaign carried out by the central government keeping in mind the Northeast and informed that the first oil mill under this mission is being inaugurated today. “Mission Palm Oil will make India aatmanirbhar in the edible oil sector and boost the income of farmers”, the Prime Minister said, expressing gratitude towards the farmers for taking up palm cultivation.

“Entire Northeast can witness the meaning of Modi ki guarantee with the development works being done here”, the Prime Minister emphasized. He noted laying the foundation stone for Sela Tunnel and Doni Polo Airport in 2019 which have been inaugurated. “Whatever the time, month or year may be, Modi only works for the welfare of the nation and its people”, he said, acknowledging the support of those present on the occasion.

Referring to the recent Cabinet approval for the UNNATI scheme for industrial development of Northeast in a new form and expanded scope, the Prime Minister underlined the working style of the government as the scheme got notified in one day and guidelines were issued. He pointed out the push for modern infrastructure in the last 10 years, the implementation of about a dozen peace accords and the resolution of border disputes. The next step, the Prime Minister said, is the expansion of industry in the region. “Rs 10,000 crore UNNATI scheme will bring new possibilities of investment and jobs”, PM Modi said. He spelt out his focus on startups, new technologies, homestays and tourism-related opportunities for the youth of the region.

Throwing light on the government’s priority to making the lives of women in the Northeast easier, the Prime Minister mentioned the Rs 100 reduction in gas cylinder prices on the occasion of International Women’s Day yesterday. He also congratulated the entire team of the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the remarkable work done to make tap water connections available to the citizens. The Prime Minister expressed delight that Arunachal and Northeast are leading the way in several development parameters and said, “Development works reach Arunachal and the Northeast like the first rays of the sun”. He noted the inauguration of drinking water supply project for 45,000 households in the state. He also mentioned multiple sarovars constructed under the Amrit Sarovar campaign, creating Lakhpati Didis in villages with the help of self-help groups. “We aim to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis in the country and the women from Northeast will also benefit from this”, he added.

The Prime Minister criticized the earlier neglect of the development of the border villages. Referring to the Sela Tunnel, the Prime Minister reiterated his style of working as per the needs of the nation and not for electoral considerations. The Prime Minister promised the defence personnel that he would come to meet them at this engineering marvel in his next term. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity and will improve the ease of travel for the people of Tawang. Work on many tunnels is going on in the region, the Prime Minister informed.

He also said that unlike the earlier approach, he has always considered the border villages as the ‘first villages’ and the Vibrant Village Programme is an acknowledgement of this thinking. Today, road projects for about 125 villages commenced and foundation stones were laid for tourism-related projects in 150 villages.

Problems of the most vulnerable and the most backward tribes are being addressed under PM-JANMAN scheme. Today, foundation stones were laid for Anganwadi centers in Manipur for such tribes.

Prime Minister Modi underlined that development works related to connectivity and electricity make for Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business. Drawing comparisons between the work done to boost connectivity since independence till 2014 with that post-2014, the Prime Minister informed building 6,000 kms of highways in the last 10 years compared to 10,000 kms in seven decades and laying 2000 kms of rail lines. In the power sector, the Prime Minister mentioned work commencing in Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh and Solar Power project in Tripura today. “Dibang dam will be India’s highest dam”, he said, noting the dedication of the highest bridge and the highest dam to Northeast.

The Prime Minister gave insights into his schedule for today including visits to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister said that every Indian is his family. The Prime Minister assured the citizens that he would not rest until basic necessities like pucca house, free raton, clean drinking water, electricity, toilets, gas connection, free treatment and internet connection among others are met. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said, “Your dreams are my resolutions”, and thanked the entire Northeastern region for the development projects of today. Upon the Prime Minister’s request, the crowd turned on the flashlights of their mobile phones to celebrate the festival of development. “This spectacle will give strength to the nation”, he concluded.

Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, (Retd) Lieutenant General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister’s vision for the progress and development of Northeast was strengthened as the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit North East’ programme’ in Itanagar witnessed several development initiatives in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh related to sectors like rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, IT, Power, Oil and Gas, among others.

During the programme, the Prime Minister launched a new Industrial Development Scheme for North East, UNNATI (Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme). The scheme will strengthen the industrial ecosystem in the North East, attract new investment, help set up new manufacturing and services units and give a boost to employment in the northeastern States. This scheme, worth Rs. 10,000 crore, is fully funded by the Government of India and covers all 8 North Eastern States. The scheme will provide incentives for capital investment, interest subvention and a manufacturing & services linked incentive to the approved units. A portal is also being started for easy and transparent registration of eligible units.  UNNATI will help catalyze industrial development and aid economic growth and development of the North East region.

The Sela Tunnel project, constructed at a cost of about Rs 825 crore is an engineering marvel. It will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across Sela Pass on the Balipara – Chariduar – Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. It has been constructed using the new Austrian Tunnelling Method and incorporates safety features of the highest standards. The project will not only provide a faster and more efficient transport route in the region but is of strategic importance to the country.  The foundation stone of Sela Tunnel was laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019.

The Prime Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 41,000 crore in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh. To be built at a cost of more than Rs 31,875 crore, it will be the highest dam structure in the country. It will generate power, help in flood moderation and lead to employment opportunities and socioeconomic development in the region.

Other important projects whose foundation stones were laid include several road, environment and tourism projects under the ‘Vibrant Village Programme’; upgradation of schools into 50 Golden Jubilee schools wherein holistic education will be provided through state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities; Double lane road to provide connectivity from Donyi-Polo airport to Naharlagun railway station, among others.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation various important projects in Arunachal Pradesh including several road projects; about 1100 projects of Jal Jeevan Mission,  170 telecom towers under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) benefiting more than 300 villages, among others. The Prime Minister also handed over more than 35,000 houses constructed at the cost of Rs 450 crores under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (both Urban and rural) to the beneficiaries.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3400 crores in Manipur. The important projects whose foundation stones were laid include the construction of Unity Mall at Nilakuthi; Development of infrastructure of the Processing Zone of Manipur IT SEZ at Mantripukhri; Construction of 60-bedded state Hospital in Lampjhelpat to provide specialized psychiatric care; and Development of infrastructure for Manipur Technical University, Imphal West District. The Prime Minister also inaugurated various road projects and several water supply schemes in Manipur, among other projects.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 1700 crores in Nagaland.  The important projects whose foundation stones were laid include multiple road projects; construction of Unity Mall in District Chumoukedima; and upgradation of capacity transformation at 132kv sub-station Nagarjan, Dimapur. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the project for the upgradation of road from Chendang Saddle to Noklak (Phase-1) and several other road projects including Kohima-Jessami Road.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 290 crores in Meghalaya. The important projects whose foundation stone will be laid include construction of IT Park at Tura ; and construction of new four-lane road and conversion of existing two-lane into four-lane at New Shillong Township. The Prime Minister also inaugurated Farmers Hostel-cum-Training Centre at Upper Shillong.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 450 crores in Sikkim. The important projects whose foundation stones were laid by the Prime Minister include the re-development of Rangpo Railway Station and several road projects. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the new road connecting Tharpu and Daramdin in Sikkim.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 8,500 crore in Tripura.  The important projects whose foundation stones were laid include construction of Agartala Western Bypass and multiple road projects across the state; Indian Oil Corporation’s new Depot at Sekerkote to be constructed; and construction of Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for drug Addicted Persons. The Prime Minister also inaugurated various road projects in the state; project for 1.46 lakh rural functional household tap connections; and Land Port at Sabroom in South Tripura district constructed at a cost of about Rs 230 crore.

The newly developed Sabroom Land Port is located along the international border between India and Bangladesh. The land port will provide facilities like the Passenger Terminal Building, Cargo Administrative Building, Warehouse, fire station building, electrical substation, pump house, etc. It will facilitate the movement of passengers and cargo between Indian and Bangladesh as through the new port one can move directly to Chittagong port of Bangladesh which is 75 Kms away as opposed to moving to Kolkata/Haldia Port in West Bengal which is about 1700 Kms away. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Sabroom Land Port in March 2021.

PM visits Kaziranga National Park in Assam

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Assam this morning. Shri Modi also urged the citizens to visit Kaziranga National Park and experience the unparalleled beauty of its landscapes. He interacted with Van Durga, the team of women forest guards at the forefront of conservation efforts, and lauded their dedication and courage in safeguarding natural heritage. PM Modi also shared glimpses of him feeding sugar cane to Lakhimai, Pradyumna and Phoolmai elephants.

In a series of posts on X highlighting his visit, the Prime Minister said:

“This morning I was at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Nestled amidst lush greenery, this UNESCO World Heritage site is blessed with diverse flora and fauna including the majestic one horned rhinoceros.”

“I would urge you all to visit Kaziranga National Park and experience the unparalleled beauty of its landscapes and the warmth of the people of Assam. It’s a place where every visit enriches the soul and connects you deeply with the heart of Assam.”

“Interacted with Van Durga, the team of women forest guards who are at the forefront of conservation efforts, bravely protecting our forests and wildlife. Their dedication and courage in safeguarding our natural heritage is truly inspiring.”

“Feeding sugar cane to Lakhimai, Pradyumna and Phoolmai. Kaziranga is known for the rhinos but there are also large number of elephants there, along with several other species.”

PM hails tea garden community of Assam for their hard work

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today said that Assam Tea has made its way all over the world. He lauded the tea garden community for their grit and hard work.

The Prime Minister posted on X :

“Assam is known for its splendid tea gardens, and Assam Tea has made its way all over the world.

I would like to laud the remarkable tea garden community, which is working hard and enhancing Assam’s prestige all over the world.

I also urge tourists to visit these tea gardens during their visits to the state.”

PM lays foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,800 crores in Sangareddy, Telangana

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,800 crores in Sangareddy, Telangana today. These projects encompass key sectors like road, rail, petroleum, aviation and natural gas.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the Central government has been working continuously to assist the development of Telangana as today marks the second day of his visit to the state. He recalled laying the foundation stones and dedicating multiple development projects to the nation worth about Rs 56,000 crores from Adilabad yesterday in the sectors of energy, climate and infrastructure and mentioned today’s occasion where development projects worth more about Rs 7,000 crores are being unveiled and foundation stones are being laid which include sectors of highways, railways, airways and petroleum. “I believe in the mantra of rashtra vikas through vikas of the states”, the Prime Minister said, highlighting the government’s working ideology. He emphasized that the central government is working to serve Telangana with the same spirit and congratulated the citizens for the development works of today.

The Prime Minister called the inauguration of the Civil Aviation Research Organization (CARO) center in Hyderabad at Begumpet Airport, a major gift for Telangana in the aviation sector. This center is the first of its kind and will give new recognition to Telangana in the field. This will give a research and development platform to the aviation startups in the country, the Prime Minister added.

Stressing the centrality of modern infrastructure in the resolution of Viksit Bharat, PM Modi mentioned the allocation of Rs 11 lakh crore in this year’s Budget. In an effort to provide maximum benefits of this to Telangana, the Prime Minister said, Kandi to Ramsanpalle section of NH-161 and Miryalaguda to Kodad Section of NH-167 will improve transport facilities between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The Prime Minister said, “Telangana is known as the gateway to South India”, and highlighted the government’s efforts to improve rail connectivity and services in the state with the electrification and doubling of rail lines taking place at a fast pace. Prime Minister Modi mentioned the doubling and electrification of Sanathnagar – Moula Ali route today along with six new station buildings. With MMTS Train Service from Ghatkesar – Lingampalli via Moula Ali – Sanathnagar flagging off today, the Prime Minister stated that many areas of Hyderabad and Secunderabad region will now be connected making it convenient for passengers.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Indian Oil Paradip-Hyderabad Product Pipeline today which will carry petroleum products in a cheaper and environmentally sustainable way, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said this will give a push for Viksit Bharat through Viksit Telangana.

Governor of Telangana, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, and Union Minister, Shri G Kishan Reddy were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for three National Highway projects. The two National Highway projects that the Prime Minister inaugurated include four laning of 40 km long Kandi to Ramsanpalle section of NH-161. The project is a part of Indore – Hyderabad Economic Corridor and will facilitate seamless passenger and freight movement between Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The section will also substantially reduce travel time between Hyderabad and Nanded by about 3 hours. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the upgradation of 47 km long Miryalaguda to Kodad Section of NH-167 to two lanes with paved shoulders. The improved connectivity will boost tourism as well as economic activity and industries in the region.

Further, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the six-laning of the 29 km long Pune-Hyderabad Section of NH-65. The project will also provide improved connectivity to major industrial centers in Telangana like Pashamylaram industrial area near Patancheru.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the doubling and electrification of Sanathnagar – Moula Ali rail line along with six new station buildings. The entire 22 Route Kms of the project has been commissioned with Automatic signalling and has been completed as part of the MMTS (Multi Modal Transport Service) Phase – II project. As part of it, six new station buildings have come up at Ferozguda, Suchitra Centre, Bhudevi Nagar, Ammuguda, Neredmet and Moula Ali Housing Board stations. Doubling and electrification work paves the way for the introduction of passenger trains for the first time in this section. It will help improve punctuality and overall speed of trains in the region by reducing the burden on other highly saturated sections.

The Prime Minister flagged off the inaugural MMTS Train Service from Ghatkesar – Lingampalli via Moula Ali – Sanathnagar. This train service extends the popular suburban train service in the Hyderabad – Secunderabad twin city regions to new areas for the first time. It connects the new areas in the eastern part of the city like Cherlapalli and Moula Ali with the Western part of the twin city region. The safe, fast and economical mode of transport connecting the eastern with the western part of the twin city region will be highly beneficial for commuters.

Further, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Indian Oil Paradip-Hyderabad Product Pipeline. The 1212 km product pipeline with a capacity of 4.5 MMTPA traverses through the states of Odisha (329 km), Andhra Pradesh (723 km) and Telangana (160 km). The pipeline shall ensure safe and economical transportation of petroleum products from Paradip Refinery to delivery stations at Visakhapatnam, Atchutapuram, Vijayawada (in Andhra Pradesh), and Malkapur near Hyderabad (in Telangana).

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Civil Aviation Research Organization (CARO) center in Hyderabad. It has been set up at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad by Airports Authority of India to upgrade and enhance the Research and Development (R&D) activities in the civil aviation sector. It is envisaged to provide a global research platform for the aviation community through in-house and collaborative research to provide indigenous and innovative solutions. Built at more than Rs 350 crores, this state-of-the-art facility complies with 5-STAR-GRIHA Rating and Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) norms. CARO will utilize a set of comprehensive laboratory capabilities to support future research and development initiatives. It will also leverage data analytics capabilities for operational analysis, and performance measurement. The primary R&D activities in CARO shall include Airspace and Airport related Safety, Capacity and Efficiency improvement programs, addressing the major airspace challenges, looking into major airport infrastructure challenges, and developing technologies and products in identified fields for the futuristic airspace and airport needs, among others.

Raksha Mantri inaugurates new Administrative & Training building at Naval War College, Goa

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Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Administrative & Training building at the Naval War College (NWC), Goa on March 05, 2024. The modern edifice, named the ‘Chola’, pays homage to the mighty maritime empire of the Chola dynasty of ancient India. In his address, the Raksha Mantri lauded the Navy for creating a world-class state-of-the-art training facility that resonates with India’s stature among the maritime powers of the world.

Shri Rajnath Singh described Chola Bhawan as a symbol of the aspirations of the Navy and India’s legacy of maritime excellence. It is also a reflection of India’s new mindset of coming out of the mentality of slavery and feeling proud of our rich historical heritage – a clarion call made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort, he added.

The Raksha Mantri also spoke about the shift in dealing with the threat perception under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, which is now covering land-based as well as maritime challenges. “Earlier, almost all the governments focused on strengthening land borders, but maritime threats were not given as much importance. In view of the increased movement of our adversaries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) & the commercial importance of the region, it was necessary to re-assess our threat perception and accordingly re-balance our military resources & strategic attention. Under the Prime Minister’s guidance, we not only re-imagined India’s role in the IOR, but also strengthened it. Due to these efforts, India has today emerged as the first responder and preferred security partner in the IOR,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri added that it has been ensured that rules-based maritime order can be strengthened in the IOR. “India is ensuring that all the neighboring countries of the Indian Ocean should be helped in protecting their autonomy and sovereignty. We have ensured that no one exercises hegemony in the region,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that due to the Navy’s readiness, India is fulfilling its responsibility in the IOR by providing full assistance to the littoral countries. He stated that the Navy is ensuring that no country, with its overwhelming economic and military power, is able to assert dominance over friendly countries or threaten their sovereignty. The readiness with which the Navy stands with the country’s allies provides substantive strength to India’s global values, he said.

The Raksha Mantri pointed out that through the mantra of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, India has given to the world the unique value of taking everyone together. If India becomes stronger, not only the areas around it will progress, but democracy and rule of law will also be strengthened, he said.

Underlining the growing prowess of the Indian Navy on the back of a strong Naval industrial base, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that the idea is not to achieve dominance, but to create an environment of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. “The increasing naval power not only protects us from our adversaries, but also provides an environment of security to other stakeholders in the Indian Ocean,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri reiterated India’s commitment to work towards strengthening the economic & security co-operation with its maritime neighbours, in line with the Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision of the Prime Minister. He commended the Navy for fulfilling this commitment, adding that India’s stature at the global level will increase if the Navy becomes stronger.

Underscoring the transformative strategic thinking of ‘New India’, Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that “we were once known as a ‘landlocked country with sea shores’, but now we can be seen as an ‘island country with land borders’”. He stated that the resources and opportunities available in this region will be the factors of India’s prosperity, which makes the Indian Navy’s role even more important in the future.

The Raksha Mantri added that most of the goods trade takes place through the sea route, with the Indo-Pacific region emerging as its hub. He highlighted that due to the increasing goods trade, many threats such as incidents of piracy and trafficking have come to the fore.

Shri Rajnath Singh praised the Navy for strengthening the security environment in the region and generating goodwill for India on the global canvas its through its anti-piracy and anti-trafficking operations. He stated that while these incidents have been reduced due to the promptness of the Indian Navy, the threats cannot be ignored. He referred to the recent attacks on the undersea cables, terming such incidents as a direct attack on strategic interests. He urged the Navy to remain prepared to deal with such challenges.

The Raksha Mantri exuded confidence that the new building at NWC, Goa will go a long way in training the officers on the growing and crucial role of the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific Region. He hoped that the NWC, through its innovative training, will not only enhance the military capability of the trainees, but also make them aware of the new perspective and focus on the country’s economic interest.

On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated two major piers in Naval Base, Karwar in the presence of Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officers. The Aircraft Carrier Pier is capable of simultaneous berthing of two Aircraft Carriers and one Landing Ship Tank (Large). The Auxiliary vessel Pier would host Fast Attack Craft, Interceptor Craft and Auxiliary Craft. The piers would also provide various shore-based services, such as power, potable water, chilled water for air conditioning and other domestic services to the ships.

These infrastructure developments are part of ongoing Phase IIA of Project Seabird which will accommodate 32 ships/submarines, 23 yardcraft, a dual-use Naval Air Station, a complete Naval Dockyard, four covered dry berths and logistics for ships/aircraft. It will house around 10,000 uniformed and civilian personnel with families, significantly boosting the local economy and industrial growth. The Naval Air Station with Civil Enclave is anticipated to enhance tourism in North Karnataka and South Goa. The ongoing construction has created 7,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs. The Project aligns with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, sourcing over 90% of materials domestically.

The Raksha Mantri stated that Project Seabird, brought as the largest Naval infrastructure building project of the country, is working to increase the capacity of the Indian Navy. He expressed confidence that both the piers will further strengthen the strategic presence on the western coast of the country.

Delivering the keynote address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar drew the attention of the audience to the evolving security challenges, particularly in the maritime domain. He highlighted the indispensable role of higher military education in countering these challenges. He expressed confidence that the new training facility will serve as an icon of the country’s resurgence as a maritime power by serving as a Gurukul for learning and sharing maritime perspectives, not only for the officers of Indian forces but also for maritime neighbours.

The Raksha Mantri also interacted with the personnel involved in the project’s execution and complimented them. An inaugural special postage stamp was also released to commemorate the event. He inspected the Guard of Honour before dedicating the Chola building to the Armed Forces.

The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Goa Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Tourism & Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Shripad Naik, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and Flag Officers Commanding in Chief, Western & Southern Naval Commands. The event marked a significant milestone in the history of the NWC, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in military education and nurturing maritime thought.

PM offers prayers at Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Devasthanam, Telangana

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today offered prayers at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Devasthanam in Telangana.

The Prime Minister posted on X:

“Prayed for the good health, well being and prosperity of all Indians at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Devasthanam, Secunderabad.”

PM inaugurates and lays foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 56,000 crores in Adilabad, Telangana

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple developmental projects related to power, rail and road sectors worth more than Rs 56,000 crores in Adilabad, Telangana today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the land of Adilabad is becoming a witness to development projects related not only to Telangana but to the entire country as more than 30 development projects worth more than Rs 56,000 crores are either being dedicated to the nation or their foundation stones are being laid today. These projects include many projects related to energy, environment sustainability and road connectivity in the state.

The Prime Minister noted that the Central Government and the state of Telangana have both completed almost 10 years and said that the government is providing all possible assistance to the state to realize the dreams of its citizens. Even today, the Prime Minister informed, the 800 MW capacity NTPC Unit 2 has been inaugurated today which will further boost the electricity generation capacity of Telangana. He also mentioned the completion of electrification of Ambari – Adilabad – Pimpalkhuti rail lines and the foundation stone laying for two major National Highway projects in Adilabad, Bela and Mulugu. The Prime Minister underlined that these modern rail and road projects of today will give momentum to the development of Telangana as well as the entire region, while also reducing travel time, encouraging tourism and creating countless employment opportunities.

The Prime Minister reiterated the mantra of nation’s development through the development of the states. He said that with a better economy, trust in the country grows and states also benefit from that as they get investment. He mentioned the global buzz around the high growth rate of the Indian economy as India is the only major economy that has grown by 8.4 percent in the last quarter. “With this speed, India will become the world’s third-largest economy”, said the Prime Minister, which will also mean high growth for the economy of Telangana also, he added.

Recalling the earlier neglect of areas like Telangana, the Prime Minister highlighted the new ways of governance in the last 10 years. Pointing to the more allocation for the development of the state during the last 10 years, the Prime Minister stated, “For us development means the development of the poorest of the poor, development of the dalit, tribals, backwards and deprived.” The Prime Minister said that more than 25 crore people have risen out of poverty and credited the government welfare schemes for the poor. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister stressed that such campaigns will be further amplified in the next 5 years

Governor of Telangana, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Revantha Reddy and Union Minister, Shri G Kishan Reddy were present on the occasion among others

Background

The Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of various projects related to the power sector across the country. The Prime Minister dedicated NTPC’s 800 MW (Unit-2) of Telangana Super Thermal Power Project in Peddapalli, Telangana. Based on Ultra-Supercritical Technology, the project will supply 85% power to Telangana and will have the highest power generation efficiency of approximately 42% among all power stations of NTPC in India. The foundation stone of the project was also laid by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister dedicated 660 MW (Unit-2) of North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project in Chatra, Jharkhand. This is the country’s first Supercritical Thermal Power Project conceived with Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) of such large magnitude which reduces water consumption to 1/3rd in comparison to conventional Water-Cooled Condensers. The commencement of work on this project was flagged off by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the Fly Ash Based Light Weight Aggregate Plant at Sipat, Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh; STP Water to Green Hydrogen Plant at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

Further, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Singrauli Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2×800 MW) in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh; Flue Gas CO2 to 4G Ethanol Plant at Lara, Raigarh in Chhattisgarh; Sea Water to Green Hydrogen plant at Simhadri, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh; and  Fly Ash Based FALG Aggregate Plant at Korba in Chhattisgarh.

The Prime Minister inaugurated seven projects and also laid the foundation stone of one project of Power Grid Corporation of India. These projects will play a crucial role in strengthening the National Grid.

The Prime Minister inaugurated National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s (NHPC’s) 380 MW Solar Project at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Around 792 million units of green power will be generated each year from the project.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation of Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited’s (BSUL’s) 1200 MW Jalaun Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh. The park will generate about 2400 million units of electricity every year.

The Prime Minister inaugurated three solar power projects of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) in Jalaun and Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh. These projects have a total capacity of 200 MW. The foundation stone of these projects was also laid by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister inaugurated Naitwar Mori Hydro Power station along with associated transmission line in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of two solar projects of SJVN in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh & Dhubri, Assam; and also of 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation of TUSCO’s 600 MW Lalitpur Solar Power Project in Lalitpur district of UP. The project envisages generating 1200 million units of green power per year.

The Prime Minister inaugurated ReNew’s Koppal-Narendra Transmission Scheme for evacuation of  2500 MW power from Renewable Energy. This inter-state transmission scheme is located in Koppal district of Karnataka. Other power sector-related projects of Damodar Valley Corporation and IndiGrid will also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

In addition to the power sector, projects in the road and rail sector were also taken up during the visit. The Prime Minister dedicated the newly electrified Ambari – Adilabad – Pimpalkhuti rail line to the nation. He also laid the foundation for two major National Highway projects connecting Telangana with Maharashtra and Telangana with Chhattisgarh through NH-353B and NH-163.