Lakshadweep will play a strong role in the creation of a Viksit Bharat: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | January 3, 2024 | 12:00 IST
QuoteInaugurates Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection
QuoteDedicates Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat
QuoteDedicates Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in all households of Agatti and Minicoy Islands
QuoteDedicates solar power plant at Kavaratti
QuoteLays foundation stone for the renovation of Primary Health Care facility and five model Anganwadi Centres
Quote“Even though the geographical area of Lakshadweep is small, the hearts of the people are as deep as the ocean”
Quote“Our government has made remote, border, coastal and island areas our priority”
Quote“Central Government strives to deliver all government schemes to every beneficiary”
Quote“Immense possibilities for export quality local fish can transform the lives of local fishermen”
Quote“Other destinations of the world pale in comparison to the beauty of Lakshadweep”
Quote“Lakshadweep will play a strong role in the creation of a Viksit Bharat”

Greetings to the administrator of Lakshadweep, Shri Prabhu Patel ji, the local Member of Parliament, and all my family members in Lakshadweep! Namaskaram!

Ellavarkkum Sukham Aanu Ennu Vishwasikkunnu!

I am very happy seeing the morning in Lakshadweep. Describing the beauty of Lakshadweep in words is very difficult. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to meet all my family members in Agatti, Bangaram, and Kavaratti this time. Although the geographical area of Lakshadweep may be small, the hearts of the people of Lakshadweep are as vast as the sea. I am grateful for your love and blessings.

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My family members,

For decades after independence, the governments at the Centre prioritized only the development of their political parties. States that are far away, on the border, or in between the seas were not paid any attention. In the last 10 years, our government has made the areas on the border, the areas at the end of the sea, our priority. Making life easy for every region and every citizen of Bharat, ensuring facilities for them is the priority of the Central Government. Today, the foundation stone and inauguration of projects worth around 1200 crores of rupees have taken place here. These projects are related to the internet, electricity, water, health, and child care. Congratulations to all of you for these development projects.

My family members,

In the last 10 years, the Central Government has left no stone unturned to enhance the ease of living for the people of Lakshadweep. Under the PM Awas Yojana (Gramin), 100% beneficiaries have been covered. Free ration is reaching every beneficiary, and farmer credit cards and Ayushman cards have also been provided. Ayushman Aarogya Mandir and Health and Wellness Centres have also been established here. The government's effort is to ensure that everyone gets the benefits of government schemes. The Central Government is sending money directly to the bank accounts of every beneficiary through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This has brought transparency and reduced corruption. I assure you that no one who deprives the people of Lakshadweep from their rights would be spared.

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My family members,

In 2020, I guaranteed that high-speed internet would reach you within 1000 days. Today, the inauguration of the Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine Optical Fiber project has taken place. Now, Lakshadweep will also have access to internet at a speed 100 times faster. It will improve government services, healthcare, education, digital banking, and many other facilities. The possibilities of a logistics services hub in Lakshadweep will also receive a boost. Work is also progressing rapidly to provide piped water to every home in Lakshadweep. The new plant that converts saline water into fresh water will further advance this mission. This plant will provide 1.5 lakh litre of drinking water every day. Pilot plants for this are already installed in Kavaratti, Agatti, and Minicoy Island.

My family members,

Friends, I also had the opportunity to meet Ali Manikfan during my visit to Lakshadweep. His research and innovations have brought great prosperity to the entire region. It is a matter of great joy for our government that Ali Manikfan was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021. The Indian government is creating new avenues for innovation and higher education for the youth. Even today, the youth here have been provided with laptops, and girls received bicycles. For years, Lakshadweep did not have any higher education institution, forcing the youth to go outside for education. Our government has now opened new institutions for higher education in Lakshadweep. New colleges for arts and science have been established in Andrott and Kadmat Islands, and a new polytechnic has been built in Minicoy, which has benefited the students here tremendously.

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My family members,

Friends, the efforts made by our government for the convenience of Haj pilgrims have also benefited the people of Lakshadweep. Visa rules for Haj pilgrims have been simplified, and most transactions related to Haj are now digital. Women are now allowed to go on Haj without a Mehram. Due to these efforts, the number of Indian pilgrims going for Umrah has significantly increased.

My family members,

Today, Bharat is trying to increase its share in the global market for the seafood as well. This is benefiting Lakshadweep too. Tuna fish from here are now being transported to Japan. There are numerous possibilities for exporting high-quality fish from here, which can transform the lives of our fishing communities. The potential of seaweed cultivation is also being explored here. While developing Lakshadweep, our government is paying full attention to ensure that its environment is not harmed. The solar power plant built with a battery energy storage system is part of this effort. This is Lakshadweep's first battery-backed solar power project. It will reduce the dependency on diesel for electricity generation, resulting in lower pollution and minimal impact on the marine ecosystem.

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My family members,

Lakshadweep has a significant role in the development of ‘Viksit Bharat’ during ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence. The Indian government is making efforts to position Lakshadweep prominently on the international tourism map. The G20 meeting, which was held here recently, has given international recognition to Lakshadweep. Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, a destination-specific master plan is being formulated for Lakshadweep. Now, Lakshadweep boasts of two blue flag beaches. I've been informed that the first water villa project in the country is being developed on Kadmat and Suheli Islands.

Lakshadweep is also becoming a major destination for cruise tourism. In the last five years, the number of tourists visiting here has increased nearly fivefold. You would recall that I had appealed to the people of the country to visit at least 15 places in India before planning foreign trips. For those who wish to explore islands in different countries and are fascinated by the seas of different nations, I urge them to visit Lakshadweep first. I believe that anyone who witnesses the beautiful beaches here will forget about visiting other countries.

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My family members,

I assure all of you that the Central Government will continue to take every possible step for ease of living, ease of travel, and ease of doing business. Lakshadweep will play a strong role in the development of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. With this belief, congratulations to all of you on the development projects!

Thank you very much, everyone!

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PM to visit Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on 29th and 30th May
May 28, 2025
QuotePM to participate in Sikkim@50: Where Progress meets purpose and nature nurtures growth
QuotePM to lay the foundation stone of City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts in Alipurduar, West Bengal
QuotePM to inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat, Bihar
QuotePM to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth around Rs 20,900 crore at Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on 29th and 30th May.

On 29th May, Prime Minister will visit Sikkim where he will participate in the “Sikkim@50: Where Progress meets purpose and nature nurtures growth” programme at around 11 AM. He will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects in Sikkim and address the gathering on the occasion.

Later, Prime Minister will visit West Bengal where he will lay the foundation stone of City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts in Alipurduar at around 2:15 PM.

Further, Prime Minister will visit Bihar and inaugurate the new terminal building of Patna Airport at around 5:45 PM.

On 30th May, at around 11 AM, he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat, Bihar. He will also address a public function.

Thereafter, Prime Minister will visit Uttar Pradesh where he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth around Rs 20,900 crore at Kanpur Nagar at around 2:45 PM. He will also address a public function.

PM in Sikkim

Marking 50 glorious years of Statehood, Prime Minister will participate in Sikkim@50: Where Progress meets purpose and nature nurtures growth. The Government of Sikkim has planned a year long series of activities under the theme “Sunaulo, Samriddha and Samarth Sikkim”, celebrating the essence of Sikkim’s cultural richness, tradition, natural splendour and its history.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects in Sikkim. Projects include a new 500-bedded District hospital worth over Rs 750 crore in Namchi district; Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing District; Statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at Atal Amrit Udyan at Sangkhola in Gangtok District among others.

Prime Minister will also release the Commemorative coin, souvenir coin and stamp of 50 years of Statehood.

PM in West Bengal

In a significant step towards expanding the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in India, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the CGD project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal. The project, worth over Rs 1010 crore, aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to more than 2.5 Lakh households, over 100 commercial establishments and industries besides providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to vehicular traffic by establishing around 19 CNG stations in line with the Minimum Work Program (MWP) targets stipulated by the Government. It will provide convenient, reliable, environment-friendly and cost-effective fuel supply and create employment opportunities in the region.

PM in Bihar

On 29th April, Prime Minister will inaugurate the newly constructed passenger terminal of Patna Airport. The new terminal built at a cost of around Rs 1200 crore can handle 1 crore passengers per year. He will also lay the foundation stone of the new civil enclave of Bihta Airport worth over Rs 1410 crore. The Bihta airport will serve the town which is rapidly emerging as an educational hub near Patna, housing IIT Patna and the proposed NIT Patna campus.

On 30th May, Prime Minister will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat.

Boosting power infrastructure in the region, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-II (3x800 MW) in Aurangabad district worth over Rs 29,930 crore, which will aim at ensuring energy security for Bihar and eastern India. It will boost industrial growth, create job opportunities, and provide affordable electricity in the region.

In a major boost to the road infrastructure and connectivity in the region, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for various road projects including the Four-Laning of the Patna–Arrah–Sasaram section of NH-119A, and the Six-Laning of the Varanasi–Ranchi–Kolkata highway (NH-319B) and Ramnagar–Kacchi Dargah stretch (NH-119D), and construction of a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli. These projects will create seamless high-speed corridors in the state along with boosting trade and regional connectivity. He will also inaugurate the four Laning of Patna – Gaya – Dobhi section of NH – 22, worth around Rs 5,520 crore and four Laning of the elevated highway and at grade improvements at Gopalganj Town on NH – 27, among others.

In line with his commitment to improving rail infrastructure across the country, Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the 3rd Rail Line between Son Nagar – Mohammad Ganj worth over Rs 1330 crore, among others.

PM in Uttar Pradesh

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects aimed at boosting the region's infrastructure and connectivity. He will inaugurate the Chunniganj Metro Station to Kanpur Central Metro Station section of Kanpur Metro Rail Project worth over Rs 2,120 crore. It will include 14 planned stations with five new underground stations integrating key city landmarks and commercial hubs into the metro network. Additionally, he will also inaugurate road widening and strengthening work of G.T. Road.

In order to boost power generation capacity in the region, multiple projects will be undertaken. Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of a 220 kV substation in Sector 28 at Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), Gautam Buddh Nagar to meet the growing energy demands of the region. He will also inaugurate 132 kV Substations worth over Rs 320 crore at Ecotech-8 and Ecotech-10 in Greater Noida.

Prime Minister will inaugurate a 660 MW Panki Thermal Power Extension Project in Kanpur worth over Rs 8,300 crore enhancing Uttar Pradesh's energy capacity. He will also inaugurate three 660 MW units of Ghatampur Thermal Power Project worth over Rs 9,330 crore bolstering the power supply significantly.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate Rail over bridges over Panki Power House Railway Crossing and over Panki Dham Crossing on Panki Road at Kalyanpur Panki Mandir in Kanpur. It will support the Panki Thermal Power Extension Project's logistics by facilitating coal and oil transport while also alleviating traffic congestion for the local population.

Prime Minister will inaugurate 40 MLD (Million Liters per Day) Tertiary Treatment Plant at Bingawan in Kanpur worth over Rs 290 crore. It will enable the reuse of treated sewage water, promoting water conservation and sustainable resource management in the region.

In a major boost to road infrastructure in the region, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for widening and strengthening of Gauria Pali Marg for industrial development in Kanpur Nagar District; and widening and strengthening of road to connect Narwal Mode (AH-1) on Prayagraj Highway to Kanpur Defence Node (4 lane) under Defence Corridor in Kanpur Nagar District which will significantly improve connectivity for the Defence Corridor, enhancing logistics and accessibility.

Prime Minister will also distribute certificates and cheques to the beneficiaries of PM Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojna, National Livelihood Mission and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.