Lays foundation stone
for Outer Harbor Container Terminal at V.O.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, Shri 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 Harbor Container Terminal at
V.O.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 Harbor Container Terminal at V.O.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 centers 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 V.O.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, Shri R N Ravi, Union
Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Union
Minister of State, Dr L Murugan were present on the occasion among others.
Background
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone
of Outer Harbor Container Terminal at V.O.Chidambaranar Port. This Container
Terminal is a step towards transforming V.O.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
V.O.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.