India now a centre point of world’s expectations: PM
HYDERABAD: India has become the centre of hope for the world and it is made possible because the government is functioning in tune with the aspirations and needs of its citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday as he dedicated to the nation multiple projects worth over ₹10,500 crore in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam.
PM Modi, who is in the port city on a two-day tour, laid the foundation stone for various projects, including construction of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor, modernisation of the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour, redevelopment of the Visakhapatnam railway station, a separate port road, and laying of the GAIL pipeline from Srikakulam to Angul in Odisha. The PM also dedicated two highways and the ONGC offshore deepwater project to the nation.
“Every policy and decision is for making the life of the common citizen better. The world has acknowledged this as experts are praising India’s achievements,” the PM said, addressing a large gathering at Andhra University Engineering College grounds.
Asserting that development of advanced infrastructure was key to inclusive growth, Modi said the isolated approach to infrastructure development by the previous governments resulted in higher logistics expenses and created a dent in the supply chain.
“Our government has adopted a new approach to infrastructure development as supply chain and logistics depend on multimodal connectivity while focussing on an integrated view of development,” he said.
Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who shared the stage with the PM, requested him to “show a large heart” and release funds to the state to overcome the difficulties it has been facing since the bifurcation eight years ago.
“Be it Polavaram, special category status, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Railway Zone and the promises made during bifurcation… please consider our requests... and resolve them with a large heart. Every additional rupee you give and every new institution you establish here will greatly help in reconstruction of our state.”