Daijiworld Media Network - Bhogapuram
Bhogapuram (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Andhra Pradesh has the potential to emerge as a major growth engine for ‘Viksit Bharat’, while inaugurating the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the NDA government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, is working for the development of Andhra Pradesh with renewed momentum.
Recalling his appeal for a "double-engine government", PM Modi said the people's mandate was aimed at ensuring that development efforts in the state progress at the pace of a double engine.
He inaugurated development projects worth nearly Rs 18,000 crore, covering sectors including aviation, road connectivity, energy security and semiconductors. He said the projects reflected the speed at which Andhra Pradesh is advancing.
"These development works are a symbol of the speed at which Andhra Pradesh is progressing today," he said, adding that the initiatives would contribute towards the vision of Swarna Andhra and Viksit Bharat.
The Prime Minister said Andhra Pradesh, under Chandrababu Naidu's leadership, is becoming an important contributor to India's growth ambitions.
Highlighting the expansion of India's aviation sector, PM Modi said the country had 74 operational airports in 2014, which has now increased to 166.
"There was a time when air travel was limited to major cities. Under the NDA government, even people from smaller towns and ordinary families are now flying," he said.
He credited the UDAN scheme for making air travel accessible to common citizens and said the second phase of the scheme, launched recently, will see an investment of Rs 29,000 crore to further strengthen regional connectivity.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the development of the hub-and-spoke airport model, saying the initiative recently introduced in Kashi has now reached Amritsar, connecting the Punjab city to more than 25 international destinations.
He said the NDA government has moved away from the earlier practice of naming airports after members of a single family and has adopted a broader approach.
Emphasising the government's mantra of "Investment for Employment", PM Modi said the focus has been on increasing investments while encouraging private sector participation.
He said creating a global growth centre requires a complete ecosystem and added that Andhra Pradesh is being developed with such an ecosystem. He credited the efforts of Chandrababu Naidu for attracting interest from major global companies.
Referring to the development of coastal Andhra, the Prime Minister said the government's vision is to create a Coastal Economic Corridor. Existing ports from Visakhapatnam to Krishnapatnam are being modernised, while new ports at Mulapeta and Ramayapatnam are being developed to strengthen maritime infrastructure.
He also highlighted the expansion of highways, expressways and railway infrastructure in the state, including projects such as the Visakhapatnam-Raipur Expressway. Railway projects worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore are currently underway to improve connectivity with major industrial centres.
Speaking about emerging technologies, PM Modi said work is progressing on semiconductor projects, artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres. He noted that Google has announced an AI and cloud infrastructure campus in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of $15 billion.
The Prime Minister said the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is helping integrate railways, ports and airports, creating a modern logistics network that would benefit industries, farmers and improve ease of doing business.
PM Modi also praised the traditional ‘Dhimsa’ dance performance by more than 13,000 tribal women during his welcome, calling it a remarkable display of tribal culture, enthusiasm and discipline.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Goa Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu and other dignitaries were present at the event.