Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over 20,000 crore rupees in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu today. These projects belong to aviation, rail, road, oil and gas, shipping and higher education sectors. Mr Modi also inaugurated the New Terminal Building of Tiruchirappalli International Airport, built at a cost of over 1,100 crore rupees. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said these projects will strengthen the progress of the state and steer the economic growth. He said that the new projects will ease travel and create thousands of employment opportunities for the youth of the state. Referring to recent floods in Tamil Nadu, Mr Modi said that he is deeply moved on the plight of the people of the state due to heavy rains which brought in significant loss of property. Mr Modi said the central government stands with people of Tamil Nadu in this time of crisis.
Referring to the death of Vijaykant, the Prime Minister said that he was not only a captain in movies but also in politics who put national interest above everything and paid tributes to him. He also remembered another son of the soil M.S. Swaminathan who played an important role in increasing the food security of the Country.
Earlier, Mr Modi attended the 38th Convocation of Bharathidasan University at Tiruchirappalli. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said India is setting new records in economic growth. He said, in the last 10 years, the number of airports has doubled from 74 to nearly 150. He added that the total cargo handling capacity of major ports in India has doubled since 2014. Prime Minister said, India has sealed a number of trade deals with important economies which will open up new markets for Indian goods and services and will create countless new opportunities for country’s youth.
The Prime Minister reached Tiruchirappalli this morning. He is on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Kerala.
Mr Modi will visit Lakshadweep this afternoon, where he will address the beneficiaries of various central government schemes at Agatti island.
Tomorrow, Mr Modi will reach Kavaratti in Lakshadweep, where he will dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than 1,150 crore rupees related to sectors such as telecommunications, drinking water, solar power and health, among others.
From Lakshadweep, the Prime Minister will visit Kochi in Kerala tomorrow. Mr Modi will address a mass gathering of two lakh women from various walks of life in Thrissur tomorrow. The meeting has been titled ‘Sthree Shakthi Samgamam’ and is organised by the Kerala unit of BJP to congratulate PM Modi for successfully passing the Women’s Reservation Bill in both houses of Parliament.
Akashvani correspondent reports that the Prime Minister, who is scheduled to arrive in Lakshadweep this afternoon, will address the beneficiaries of various central government schemes at Agatti Island. Mr Modi, who stays in Bangaram Island overnight, will inaugurate the Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine Optical Fiber Connection Project at a function to be held at Kavaratti island tomorrow. The project will increase the internet connection speed in Lakshadweep islands from 1.7 Gbps to 200 Gbps — an increase of more than 100 times. This will ensure a paradigm shift in the communication infrastructure in the islands, enabling faster and more reliable internet services, telemedicine, e-governance, digital banking and educational initiatives among other things.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the Low Temperature Desalination Plant at Kadamat Island, which has a capacity to produce 1.5 lakh litres of clean drinking water every day. He will also dedicate the Functional Household Tap Connections in Agatti and Minicoy islands. Mr Modi will inaugurate the first battery-backed solar power project of Lakshadweep at Kavaratti, which will help reduce dependency on diesel based power generation in the islands. He will also dedicate the new administrative block and an 80-men barrack in India Reserve Battalion complex at Kavaratti. Mr Modi will lay the foundation stone for the renovation of the Primary Health Care facility in Kalpeni and construction of model anganwadi centres in the islands of Androth, Chetlat, Kadamat, Agatti and Minicoy.