Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 14: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled several key projects in Tamil Nadu and Kerala during a day’s visit to the two poll-bound southern states on Sunday and also handed over to the army indigenously built main battle tank Arjun Mk-1A designed and developed by Chennai-based unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Speaking on the occasion, Modi said the world was looking at India with great enthusiasm and positivity. “This is going to be India’s decade. And, this is because of the hard work and sweat of 130 crore Indians. The Government of India is committed to doing everything possible to support this surge of aspiration and innovation. This year’s Budget has once again showcased the reform commitment of the Government. It would make you happy that in this year’s Budget, special importance has been given to the development of India’s coastal areas.
Handing over the modern battle tank to the army Modi quoted the Tamil poet Subramaniya Bharathi and said the government was inspired by his vision in taking massive efforts to make India self-reliant in the defence sector. One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu. The corridor has already received investment commitments over Rs 8,100 crores. “Today, I am proud to dedicate to the country one more warrior to protect our frontiers. I am proud to handover the indigenously designed and manufactured “Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A”. It also uses indigenous ammunition.
“Tamil Nadu is already the leading automobile manufacturing hub of India. Now, I see Tamil Nadu evolving as the Tank Manufacturing Hub of India. A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit – Bharat’s Ekta Darshan. We will continue working to make our armed forces one of the most modern forces in the world. At the same time, the focus on making India Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector moves with full speed. Our armed forces signify India’s ethos of courage. They have shown time and again that they are fully capable of protecting our Motherland. Time and again they have also shown India believes in peace. But, India will protect our sovereignty at all costs. धीर भी है, वीर भी है , सैन्य शक्ति and धैर्य शक्ति of our forces are remarkable,” he said paying rich compliments to the Indian armed forces.
In the presence of Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and other dignitaries, Modi inaugurated the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension, which has been completed at a cost of ₹3,770 crore. He also commissioned the passenger services from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar. This 9.05 km-long extension would link North Chennai with the airport and Central railway stations.
The prime minister later laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernisation of the Grand Anicut Canal System. The canal is important for irrigation in the Cauvery Delta districts of Tamil Nadu. The modernisation of this canal will be taken up at a cost of ₹2,640 crore and will lead to an improvement in the water carrying capacity of the canals.
Modi also inaugurated the fourth railway line between Chennai beach and Attipattu. This 22.1 km section, laid at a cost of ₹293.40 crore, traverses through Chennai and Tiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu and will ease out traffic from Chennai Port.
He also inaugurated the railway electrification of single line section in Villupuram-Cuddalore-Mayiladuthurai-Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. The ₹423 crore project has electrified the 228-km long route.
The electrification of this route would enable the free flow of traffic without the need for a change of traction between Chennai Egmore and Kanniyakumari and would result in saving of ₹14.61 lakh per day on fuel cost, an official release stated.
During the day’s visit, Modi also unveiled the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras. The campus will be built at Thaiyur near Chennai at an estimated cost of ₹1,000 crore in the first phase over an area of two lakh square metres.
From Chennai the prime minister flew in to Kerala where he dedicated the Rs 6,000 crores Bharat Petroleum’s Propylene Derivatives Petrochemical Complex at Kochi Refinery and Inland Waterways Authority’s Roll-on/Roll-off vessels, at Willingdon Island to the nation.
The PM also inaugurated the Sagarika International Cruise Terminal and laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of South Coal Berth, in Cochin Port.
Modi also inaugurated Cochin Port Trust’s International Cruise Terminal and Cochin Shipyard’s Vigyana Sagar, campus for Marine Engineering Training Institute, the only maritime training institute in India, and laid the foundation stone of Cochin Port Trust’s South Coal Berth.
Elaborate security arrangements were made in Chennai and Kochi for the prime minister’s visit for which Modi had stated earlier that he was looking forward to be amidst the people.
“Tomorrow, 14th February, I will be in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Kochi (Kerala). Numerous development works would be launched that would add speed to fulfilling the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The projects will boost ‘Ease of Living’ for our citizens,” Modi had tweeted on Saturday from his official handle.
Speaking in Kochi, the Prime Minister assured the Indian diaspora in Gulf countries that his government was committed for their welfare. Many of the gulf countries responded positively to call for the release of Indians who were imprisoned in the jails, he said.
Modi said he had the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora in the Gulf countries during his visit to UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.
Around 50 lakh people were brought back to the country under the Vande Bharath programme and a large number of them were Keralites, he said.
Mr. Modi said the centre had earmarked funds in the annual budget for several development projects including the second phase of the Kochi metro rail project. He also urged people to travel locally and explore places and suggested the start ups to think about developing projects in tourism sector.
He spoke on the support provided to displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Tamil fishermen captured by Sri Lanka. “There are currently no fishermen in Sri Lankan custody,” he said.
Earlier when Modi arrived at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai to unveil several key projects for the State, he was welcomed with traditional nadaswaram music. The crowd, following social distancing in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, welcomed the PM enthusiastically.