Development knows no religion, PM tells Keralites
Modi inaugurates a power highway, a solar power plant, water treatment plant and lays the foundation stone of a command and control centre through video conference
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the people of Kerala to focus on development instead of caste or religious divides.
“Development and good governance do not know caste, creed, race, gender, religion or language. Development is for everyone,” Modi said ater inaugurating three federally funded projects in the state.
“Development is our aim. Development is our religion. I seek the support of the people of Kerala so that we can move forward to realise this shared vision of togetherness and development.”
He inaugurated Pugalur — Thrissur power highway, Kasaragod solar power plant and water treatment plant at Aruvikkara in the state capital through a video conference on Friday.
He also laid the foundation stone of an integrated command and control centre and smart roads in the state capital during the event.
He said the 2000 MW high voltage direct current system was the first HVDC interconnection of Kerala with the national grid and it will facilitate the transfer of huge quantities of power to meet the growing power demands of the state.
It was also the first time the voltage source converter technology had been introduced in India for transmission.
“The development works starting today are spread across all parts of Kerala and cover a wide range of sectors. They will power and empower the beautiful state, whose people are making rich contributions to India’s progress,” he said.
“Kerala is largely dependent on the import of power from the national grid due to its seasonal nature of internal power generation and HVDC system helps to bridge the gap.”
He expressed happiness that the HVDC equipment used in this project had been made in India and gives strength to its self-reliant India movement.
“Our gains in solar energy ensure a stronger fight against climate change, a boost to our entrepreneurs. Farmers are also being connected with the solar sector to make our Annadatas (food givers) as Urjadatas (power givers).”
Under Pm-kusum Yojana, over two million solar power pumps are being given to farmers. In the last six years, India’s solar energy capacity has increased 13 times and it has also brought the world together through the International Solar Alliance.
“Our cities are engines of growth and powerhouses of innovation. Our cities are seeing three encouraging trends: technological development, favourable demographic dividend and increasing domestic demand,” he said.
“The integrated command and control centres under the Smart Cities Mission are helping cities in beter urban planning and management and 54 command centre projects have become operational.”
He said another 30 such projects are at various stages of implementation and that these centres were especially useful during the pandemic days.
Under the Smart Cities Mission, two Kerala cities — Kochi and Trivandrum have made significant progress, he said, and 27 projects worth Rs 7.73 billion were completed and 68 worth about Rs 20 billion are in the pipeline.
He said AMRUT or Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation is helping cities expand and upgrade their wastewater treatment infrastructure and 175 water supply projects are being taken up in Kerala at a cost of more than Rs 11 billion.
Universal coverage is provided in 9 AMRUT cities. Aruvikkara water treatment plant is completed at a cost of Rs 700 million.
“This would improve the lives of around 1.3 million citizens and this will help increase per capita water supply in Trivandrum to 150 litres per day from 100 litres supplied earlier,” he said.
“India is investing in the Blue Economy. Our efforts for fishermen communities are based on more credit, increased technology, top-quality infrastructure and supportive government policies.”
He said the government policies will ensure India becomes a hub for sea-food exports.