PORT BLAIR: Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said the government wants to develop India as economic super power.
Addressing a gathering at Port Blair after inaugurating the Sea Route to Baratang Island at a function organised at Port Blair in the evening, Rajnath Singh said, “I am not a big economist, but I feel that if India keeps progressing at the same speed as it is presently doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by 2025 to 2030, the economy will stand among the top 10 economies of the world.”
He said that according to experts the present size of the economy is around $2 trillion. According to him, the size of the blue economy could become $1 trillion in future. “In 2014, there was only one National Highway in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and within three years there are seven National Highways and this is not a small thing. This is why I strongly believe that by 2030, India will be among the top three economies,” he said.
Rajnath Singh said that on the security point of view, the Indian coast is about 7,300 km long and the geographical area of the coastline is vast. India can’t ensure border security by building any wall or fortress. “During my tenure as Home Minister, I felt that the best power to ensure border security is in the
waterways and airways and I believe all the projects being taken up by Nitin Gadkari's ministry is in that direction,” the Home Minister said.
Rajnath Singh, accompanied by minister for Road, Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, and Union minister of state for home, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir arrived at Port Blair in the afternoon on a two-day
visit. They were accorded a warm welcome at the Veer Savarkar International airport by the lone MP of A & N Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, and others.
Soon after, they proceeded to the National Memorial Cellular Jail and laid wreaths at the Martyr’s Column.
Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sea Route to Baratang Island at a function organised at the Dr BR Ambedkar Auditorium in the evening. They also laid the foundation stone for the extension of New Dry Dock, Port Blair, extension of wharf, Hope Town, construction of additional jetty & extension of
berthing jetty, Neil Island, during a function organised by the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works, Ministry of Shipping.
On Friday, the ministers will visit Diglipur where they will lay the foundation stone for the Andaman Trunk Road and address a gathering at a function to be held at the Diglipur Stadium at 10.15 am.
Thereafter, they will proceed to Baratang and lay the foundation stone for Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait bridges at 12.15 pm.
They will depart for New Delhi on Friday evening.