PM Inaugurates and lays foundation stones of key projects in Tamil Nadu
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several key projects and handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Army at Chennai on Sunday.
The PM inaugurated the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension, fourth Railway line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu, railway electrification of single line section in Villupuram – Cuddalore – Mayiladuthurai – Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur. He laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System and Discovery Campus of IIT Madras.
Speaking on the occasion, the PM said that these projects are symbols of innovation and indigenous development, which will further the growth of Tamil Nadu. He said that Thanjavur and Pudukkottai will be specially benefitted as the foundation to modernise the 636-km-long Grand Anicut Canal System was laid. It will improve irrigation facilities for 2.27 lakh acres of land. Quoting Tamil poet Avvaiyar, the PM stressed the need to conserve water as it is not just national issue but a global subject.
Speaking about the 9-km stretch of the Chennai Metro Rail Phase One, he informed that the project has been completed on schedule despite the pandemic. He said that in this year’s budget, over Rs. 63,000 crore have been set aside for a 119-km of Phase two of the project. This is one of the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one-go.
The PM paid homage to the Pulwama attack martyrs on the anniversary of the attack. He said that India has undertaken a massive effort to become self-reliant in the defence sector. One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu has already received investment commitments over Rs. 8100 crores. He said that Tamil Nadu is already the leading automobile manufacturing hub of India. Now, Tamil Nadu is evolving as the Tank manufacturing hub of India.
He expressed the hope that the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras with 2-lakh square metre infrastructure to house world-class research centres will be a leading centre of discovery and draw the best talent from all over India.
Modi said that this year’s Budget gives special importance to the development of India’s coastal areas. Extra credit mechanisms for fishermen communities, upgradation of Infrastructure relating to fishing with modern fishing harbours in five centres including Chennai and seaweed farming. will improve lives of coastal communities. He also informed that for seaweed cultivation, a multi-purpose sea-weed park will come up in Tamil Nadu.
The PM announced that the central government has accepted their long-standing demand of Devendrakula Velalar community, and they will now be known by their heritage name and not the six to seven names listed in the Schedule to the Constitution. The draft Gazette to amend the Constitutional schedule to correct their name has been approved by the central government. It will be placed before the Parliament before the start of the next session.
Prime Minister asserted that the government has always taken care of the welfare and aspirations of Tamils in Sri Lanka. The resources provided by this government for Tamils have been much more than in the past. The projects include 50,000 for displaced Tamils in North-Eastern Sri Lanka, 4,000 houses in the plantation areas. A hospital has been built in Dickoya. To boost connectivity, the railway network to Jaffna and to Mannar is being re-built. Flights have been established from Chennai to Jaffna. India has built the Jaffna Cultural Centre which will open soon. “The issue of Tamil rights has also been taken up by us consistently with Sri Lankan leaders. We are always committed to ensuring that they live with equality, justice peace and dignity,” said the PM.
He also assured that the government will always protect the rightful interests of fishermen and has always ensured early release whenever fishermen are apprehended in Sri Lanka. More than 1600 fishermen have been released during the tenure of the current government and there is no Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody. Similarly, 313 boats have also been released.
