Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple projects worth over Rs 10,500 crores in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
PM Modi said that the projects worth Rs 10,500 crores that are being dedicated and whose foundation stones are laid today will serve as a medium to achieve the hopes and aspirations of Visakhapatnam and Andhra Pradesh by opening up new dimensions in infrastructure, ease of living and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The prime minister laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Visakhapatnam Railway Station, which is expected to cost around Rs 450 crores. The redeveloped station would cater to 75,000 passengers per day and will improve the passenger experience by providing modern amenities.
Another project for the modernisation and upgradation of Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour was inaugurated. The total cost of the project is around Rs 150 crores. The fishing harbour, after its upgradation and modernisation, is expected to double the handling capacity from 150 Tons per day to about 300 tons per day.
Also, the foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh section of the six-lane Greenfield Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor was laid down. It will be built at a cost of more than Rs 3750 crore.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of a dedicated port road from Convent Junction to Sheela Nagar Junction in Visakhapatnam. It is expected to ease traffic congestion in Visakhapatnam City by segregating local and port-bound goods traffic. He also dedicated to the nation, Narasannapeta to Pathapatnam section of NH-326A built at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore as a part of the Srikakulam-Gajapati Corridor. The project would provide better connectivity in the region.
Other projects highlighted at today’s event include U-field Onshore Deepwater block project of ONGC in Andhra Pradesh, developed at a cost of more than Rs. 2900 crores; Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Srikakulam Angul Natural Gas Pipeline Project of GAIL with a capacity of around 6.65 MMSCMD. This 745 km long pipeline will be built at a total cost of more than Rs 2650 crores.
Giving an example of the integrated view of development from today’s projects, Modi listed the 6-lane roads in the proposed economic corridor project, a separate road for port connectivity, the beautification of Visakhapatnam railway station and the construction of the state-of-the-art fishing harbour.
He credited this integrated view of development to PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and remarked that it 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”, he added. He said that Andhra Pradesh and its coastal regions will move ahead in this race of development with new momentum and energy.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said, “The India of the 21st century is bringing the holistic thought of development to the ground.” He expressed the belief that Andhra Pradesh will continue to play a pivotal role in this development drive of the country.
