PM inaugurates development projects worth more than Rs 17,300 crores across states/UTs at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
Lays foundation stone for Outer Harbour Container Terminal at VO Chidambaranar
Port
Dedicates tourist facilities in 75 lighthouses across 10 States/UTs
Launches India's first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway
vessel
Dedicates various rail and road projects
“Tamil Nadu is writing a new chapter of progress in Thoothukudi”
“Today, the country is working with the 'whole of government' approach”
“Central government's efforts to improve connectivity are increasing the ease
of living”
“Development of Maritime Sector means development of a state like Tamil Nadu”
“Developments in 75 places at once, this is new India”
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and
dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth more than Rs 17,300
crores in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu today. The Prime Minister laid the foundation
stone of Outer Harbour Container Terminal at VO Chidambaranar Port. The Prime
Minister also launched India's first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland
waterway vessel under the Harit Nauka initiative. He dedicated tourist
facilities in 75 lighthouses across 10 States/UTs. He also dedicated to the
nation, rail projects for doubling of Vanchi Maniyachchi - Nagercoil rail line
including the Vanchi Maniyachchi - Tirunelveli section and Melappalayam -
Aralvaymoli section. The Prime Minister dedicated four road projects in Tamil Nadu,
developed at a total cost of about Rs 4,586 Crore.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that Tamil Nadu is
writing a new chapter of progress in Thoothukudi as inauguration and foundation
stones are being laid for multiple development projects towards the road map of
developed India. He said that one can witness the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha
Bharat in the development projects of today. Even though the projects may be in
Thoothukudi, the Prime Minister emphasized that it will give momentum to
development in multiple places across India.
The Prime Minister reiterated the journey of Viksit Bharat and the role
of Tamil Nadu in it. He recalled his visit 2 years ago when he flagged off many
projects for the expansion of the Chidambaranar Port capacity and his promise
of making it into a major hub of shipping. “That guarantee is being fulfilled
today”, said the Prime Minister. Talking about the foundation stone of Outer Harbour
Container Terminal at VO Chidambaranar Port, the Prime Minister informed that
this project will have an investment of 7,000 crore rupees. Projects worth 900
crore rupees have been dedicated today and 2500 crore rupees worth
projects were initiated on 13 ports. These projects will benefit Tamil Nadu and
will create avenues of employment in the state, he said.
The Prime Minister reminded that the development projects of today being
brought by the present government are the people’s demands and the previous
governments never paid any attention to them. “I have come to Tamil Nadu for
the service of the land and to change its fate”, the Prime Minister said.
Talking about India's first hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel
under the Harit Nauka initiative, PM Modi called it a gift of the people of
Tamil Nadu for Kashi. He said that he witnessed the enthusiasm and affection of
the people of Tamil Nadu in Kashi Tamil Sangamam. The Prime Minister
inaugurated various other projects aimed at making the V.O.Chidambaranar Port
the first Green Hydrogen Hub Port of the country. These projects include a
desalination plant, hydrogen production, and bunkering facility. “Tamil Nadu
will go a long way with regard to the alternatives that the world is exploring
today”, he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the rail and road development
projects of today and said that the electrification and doubling of rail lines
will further improve connectivity between South Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while
also easing the congestion in Tirunelveli and Nagercoil sectors. He also
mentioned the four major projects for the modernization of roadways in Tamil
Nadu worth more than Rs 4,000 crores today, the Prime Minister said that it
will give a boost to connectivity, reduce travel time and encourage trade and
tourism in the state.
Referring to the whole-of-government approach of New India, the Prime
Minister said that roadways, highways and waterways departments are working to
create better connectivity and better opportunities in Tamil Nadu. Therefore,
railways, roads and maritime projects are being launched in tandem. Multi-modal
approach will give new momentum to the development of the state, said the Prime
Minister.
The Prime Minister recalled his suggestion to develop prime lighthouses
of the country into tourist destinations during an episode of Mann Ki Baat and
expressed pride in dedicating tourist facilities in 75 lighthouses across 10
States/UTs. “Developments in 75 places at once, this is new India”, PM Modi
remarked, and expressed confidence that these 75 places will become huge
tourist centres in the coming times.
Recounting the initiatives of the central government, the Prime Minister
informed that in the last 10 years, 1300 KM long rail projects were undertaken
in Tamil Nadu. 2000 km railway electrification was achieved, creation of
flyover and underpass and the upgradation of many railway stations was done. He
said 5 Vande Bharat trains are running in the state providing world-class
travel experience. The Government of India is investing 1.5 lakh crore rupees
in the road infrastructure of Tamil Nadu. “Central government's efforts to
improve connectivity are increasing the ease of living”, he said.
The Prime Minister underscored the great expectations with the waterways
and the maritime sector of India for decades and said that these sectors are becoming
the foundations of Viksit Bharat today, and Tamil Nadu along with the entire
South India are the biggest beneficiaries of this. The Prime Minister
highlighted the three major ports and more than 12 small ports in Tamil Nadu
and underlined the possibilities for all southern states. “Development of
Maritime Sector means development of a state like Tamil Nadu”, the Prime
Minister said, informing about the 35 percent growth of traffic on VO Chidambaranar
Port in the last decade. He further added that the port handled 38 million tons
last year recording an annual growth of 11 percent. “Similar results can be
seen in other major ports of the country”, PM Modi added, crediting the role of
projects like Sagarmala.
The Prime Minister asserted that India is creating new records in
waterways and maritime sectors. He noted India's jump to 38 rank in the
logistics performance index and port capacity has doubled in one decade. He
further said that there has been an eight-times increase in national waterways
during this time period and the number of cruise passengers has grown four
times while seafarers doubled. These strides are bound to benefit Tamil Nadu
and our youth, he said. “I am convinced that Tamil Nadu will move forward on
the path of development and I give you the guarantee that I will serve you with
new enthusiasm when the nation gives us the opportunity to serve for the third
time.”
Speaking about the love, affection, enthusiasm and blessings of the
people of various regions of Tamil Nadu during his current visit, the Prime
Minister highlighted the government’s commitment and said that he will match
every affection of the people with the development of the state.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister asked everyone to switch on their
phone lights and indicate that Tamil Nadu and the government of India are
celebrating the festival of development.
Governor of Tamil Nadu, RN Ravi, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and
Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of State, Dr L Murugan
were present on the occasion among others.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Outer Harbour Container
Terminal at VO Chidambaranar Port. This Container Terminal is a step towards
transforming VO Chidambaranar Port into a transhipment hub for the East coast.
The project aims to leverage India's long coastline and favorable geographic
location and strengthen India's competitiveness in the global trade arena. The
major infrastructure project will also create employment generation and economic
growth in the region. The Prime Minister inaugurated various other projects
aimed at making the VO Chidambaranar Port the first Green Hydrogen Hub Port of
the country. These projects include a desalination plant, hydrogen production,
bunkering facility etc.
The Prime Minister also launched India's first indigenous green hydrogen
fuel cell inland waterway vessel under the Harit Nauka initiative. The vessel
is manufactured by Cochin Shipyard and underscores a pioneering step for
embracing clean energy solutions and aligning with the nation's net-zero
commitments. The Prime Minister also dedicated tourist facilities in 75
lighthouses across 10 States/UTs.
During the programme, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation rail
projects for doubling of Vanchi Maniyachchi - Nagercoil rail line including the
Vanchi Maniyachchi - Tirunelveli section and Melappalayam - Aralvaymoli
section. Developed at the cost of about Rs 1,477 crore, the doubling project
will help in reducing travel time for the trains heading towards Chennai from
Kanyakumari, Nagercoil & Tirunelveli.
The Prime Minister dedicated four road projects in Tamil Nadu, developed
at a total cost of about Rs 4,586 Crore. These projects include the four-laning
of the Jittandahalli-Dharmapuri section of NH-844, two-laning with paved
shoulders of the Meensurutti-Chidambaram section of NH-81, four-laning of the
Oddanchatram-Madathukulam section of NH-83, and two-laning with paved shoulders
of the Nagapattinam-Thanjavur section of NH-83. These projects aim to improve
connectivity, reduce travel time, enhance socio-economic growth and facilitate
pilgrimage visits in the region.