THOOTHUKUDI: Tamil Nadu is highly benefiting by central government projects and schemes implemented by ministries of shipping, railways and road ways, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating and laying foundation stone for projects worth Rs17000 crore at Thoothukudi on Wednesday.
Presiding over the function held at VO Chidambaranar port, Modi laid the foundation stone for outer harbour container terminal project worth '7056 crore, a new launch complex at Kulasekarapatinam worth '986 crore, and shipping ministry projects on various ports for '9480,
Besides the Prime Minister inaugurated road projects worth '4586 crore and shipping ministry projects worth '766 crore including hydrogen fuel cell vessel. He also dedicated the railway projects completed at a cost of '1477 crore, and tourism facilities at 75 lighthouses across India developed at a cost of '78 crore, to the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi said that most of these projects are a result of concert efforts towards one Barath. The role of Tamil Nadu in development is very important.
Criticising the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Modi said the bitter truth is that they kept these welfare schemes remained as a demand for these years, and only his government implemented them.
On inaugurating India's first hydrogen fuel cell ferry, made up of fully indigenised Home Grown Technology, at Cochin Shipyard, Modi said that the vessel will soon ply along river Ganges at Kasi, a place in his parliamentary constituency. It symbolises the ties between Kasi and Tamil Nadu.
Thoothukudi or Tamil Nadu will be the centre of sustainable development which the world foresee, and definitely Tamil Nadu will pioneer.
Improvement of maritime facilities, roadways and railway has fostered strong connectivity and accessibility between South Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which had minimised the travel hours and paved way for improving tourism and industries. Modi also said that railways, road ways and waterways departments decides different schemes but with one single idea of providing connectivity, opportunity and industrial development.
"Tamil Nadu is highly benefiting by central government projects and schemes implemented by ministries of shipping, railways and road ways", Modi said.
Modi added that Tamil Nadu reached the niche of development with the connectivity of 13000 km long railway infrastructure and electrification of 2000 km long tracks the past 10 years. "The life in Tamil Nadu has been made easier, he said, pointing to the fact that because of the increased national highways road network", Modi said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that he has expressed only his development ideology but not any idea or agenda. Taking a dig at Tamil Nadu newspapers, Modi said they will not publish this as they are under the control of ruling government.
"However, the central government will overcome all struggles", Modi said amid a loud noise of BJP cadre enchanting Jai Shreeram and Barat Matha Ki Je.
Modi guaranteed implementing more development projects if he is elected for the third time. As Tamil Nadu people had showered love upon him for the two days of his trip in the state, I will definitely return the love for you, Modi said.