Speaking on the meeting held at Visakhapatnam on multi projects inauguration, PM said that
Dear Sisters and brothers Namashkar,
Andhra Pradesh Governor Bishwa Bhushan , Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, my cabinet colleague Ashwini Vaishnav , other dignitaries present here and my brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh.
Just a few months ago, I had the privilege of being among you all for the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Viplav Veerudu Alluri Sitaram Raju . Today once again I have come to Andhra land on such an occasion, which is a big day for Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam is a special city of India. There has always been a rich tradition of trade here. Visakhapatnam was an important port of ancient India. Even thousands of years ago, trade was done through this port to Western Asia and Rome. And even today Visakhapatnam remains the focal point of India’s trade.
The inauguration and foundation stone laying of projects worth more than ten thousand crore rupees will become a medium to fulfil the aspirations of Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam. From infrastructure to ease of living and self-reliant India, these schemes will open up many new dimensions and take development to new heights. I heartily congratulate all the residents of Andhra Pradesh for this. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the former Vice President of our country Venkaiah Naidu and also Hari Babu. Whenever they meet, we talk a lot about the development of Andhra. His love and dedication for Andhra is matchless.
One very special thing about the people of Andhra Pradesh is that they are very affectionate and enterprising by nature. Today, in almost every corner of the world, people of Andhra Pradesh are showing their talent in every work. Be it education or enterprise, technology or medical profession, the people of Andhra Pradesh have made their mark in every field. This recognition has not been made only because of the professional quality, but it has been made because of sociable behavior. The jovial personality of the people of Andhra Pradesh endears them to everyone. Telugu speaking people are always in search of better, and always trying to do better. I am happy that the development projects whose foundation stones were laid and inaugurated here today will also improve the pace of progress in Andhra Pradesh.
In the golden age of independence, the country is moving fast on the path of development with the goal of a developed India. This journey of development is multidimensional. It also includes concern for the needs of the common man’s life. This also includes building the best modern infrastructure. Even in today’s programme, the glimpse of our vision on infrastructure is clearly visible. Our vision is of inclusive development. Regarding infrastructure, we never got entangled in such questions whether we have to develop railways or road transport. We have never been in a dilemma whether we should focus on the port or the highway. Due to this isolated view of infrastructure, the country had to suffer huge losses. This affected the supply chain and increased the cost of logistics.
Supply chain and logistics depend on multi-modal connectivity. That’s why we adopted a new approach for the development of infrastructure. We gave importance to an integrated view of development. The Economic Corridor, whose foundation has been laid today, has a provision for a 6-lane road. A separate road will also be built to reach the port. On the one hand we are beautifying the Visakhapatnam railway station and on the other hand we are making the fishing harbor state-of-the-art.
This integrated view of infrastructure has become possible because of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The Gati Shakti plan has not only accelerated the pace of infrastructure construction, but has also reduced the cost of projects. Multi Modal Transport System is the future of every city and Visakhapatnam has taken a step in this direction. I know that the people of Andhra have been waiting for these projects for a long time. And today when this wait is coming to an end, Andhra Pradesh and its coastal regions will move ahead in this race of development with a new pace.
Today the whole world is passing through a new era of struggle. There is a shortage of essential goods in some countries, while some countries are facing energy crisis. Almost every country is worried about its declining economy. But amidst all this, India is scaling great heights in many fields. India is writing a new saga of development. And it is not only Indians who are feeling it, but the world is also watching India very keenly.
We must have seen how experts and intellectuals are praising India. Today ,India has become the focal point of the expectations of the whole world. This has become possible because today India is working by keeping the expectations and needs of its citizens paramount. Our every policy, every decision is to improve the life of the common man. Today, due to policies like PLI scheme, GST, IBC, National Infrastructure Pipeline, Gati Shakti, on one hand, investment in India is increasing. On the other hand, the schemes being run for the welfare of the poor are continuously expanding.
In this journey of development, today those areas of the country are also included, which were marginalized earlier. Even in the most backward districts, schemes related to development are being implemented through the Aspirational Districts programme. Crores of poor people of the country are being given free food grains for the last two and a half years. For the last three and a half years, 6 thousand rupees are directly reaching the farmers’ accounts every year through the PM Kisan Yojana. Similarly, due to our policy related to sunrise sectors, new opportunities are being created for the youth. From drones to gaming, from space to startups, every sector is getting a chance to move forward because of our policy.
When the goals are clear, be it the heights of the sky, or the depths of the ocean, we seek opportunities and carve them out. Today, the beginning of extracting deep water energy through modern technology in Andhra is a great example of this. Today, the country is also making efforts on a large scale to realize the infinite possibilities associated with the Blue Economy. Blue economy has become such a big priority of the country for the first time.
Now facility like Kisan Credit Card is also available for fish farmers. Today, the work of modernizing Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbor has started, this will make life easier for our fishermen brothers and sisters. As the power of the poor increases, and they have access to the opportunities associated with modern infrastructure, our dream of a developed India will also be fulfilled.
The sea has been a source of wealth and prosperity for India for centuries, and our beaches have served as gateways to this prosperity. Today, projects worth thousands of crores of rupees are going on in the country for port lead development, they will expand further in future. Today, India of the 21st century is putting this holistic thinking of development on the ground. I am sure, Andhra Pradesh will continue to play a big role in this campaign of development of the country.
Bharath Matha Ki jai
