Modi says infra development expanded to include gas pipelines and high-speed internet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation, inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 11 projects worth over Rs.31,500 crore in Chennai, and noted the redevelopment of five railway stations and the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway.
“These projects will boost infrastructure development, enhance connectivity and give an impetus to ease of living in the region,” he said on 26 May 2022 at the project dedication ceremony attended by Governor of Tamil Nadu R. N. Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin and Union Minister L Murugan among other dignitaries.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of six projects, being built at a cost of over Rs.28,540 crore.
The 262-km long Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway will be built at a cost of over Rs.14,870 crore. It will pass-through the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and help reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai by 2-3 hours.
The 4-Lane double decker elevated road connecting Chennai Port to Maduravoyal (NH-4), of about 21-km in length, will be built at a cost of over Rs.5,850 crore. It will facilitate round the clock approach of goods vehicles to Chennai port.
The 94-km long 4-lane Neraluru to Dharmapuri section of NH-844 and 31-km long 2-lane with paved shoulders of Meensurutti to Chidambaram section of NH-227, being built at a cost of around Rs.3,870 crore and Rs.720 respectively, will help provide seamless connectivity in the region.
Foundation stones were laid for redevelopment of five Railway stations: Chennai Egmore, Rameswaram, Madurai, Katpadi and Kanyakumari, were also laid during the programme. These projects will be completed at a cost of over Rs.1,800 crore, and is being undertaken with a view to enhance convenience and comfort of the passengers through provision of modern amenities.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of a Multi Modal Logistic Park at Chennai worth around Rs.1,430 crore. It will provide seamless intermodal freight movement and also offer multiple functionalities.
He dedicated to the nation five projects worth over Rs.2,960 crore.
The 75-km long Madurai-Teni (Railway Gauge Conversion Project), built at a project cost of over Rs.500 crore, will facilitate access and give a boost to tourism in the region.
The 30-km long third railway line between Tambaram-Chengalpattu, built at a project cost of over Rs.590 crore, will facilitate running of more Suburban services, thus offering greater options and enhancing comfort for the travellers.
The 115-km long Ennore-Chengalpattu section and 271-km long Thiruvallur-Bengaluru section of ETB PNMT natural gas pipeline, built at a project cost of around Rs.850 crore and Rs.910 crore, respectively, will facilitate supply of natural gas to consumers as well industries in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The programme also witnessed inauguration of 1,152 houses constructed as part of the LightHouse Project – Chennai, built at a cost of Rs 116 crore under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban.
The Prime Minister underlined the economic importance of the projects.
The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway will connect two major centers and 4-Lane double decker elevated road connecting Chennai Port to Maduravoyal will make Chennai port more efficient and decongest the city.
The modernisation and development of five stations is being done keeping in mind the needs of the future while the Madurai-Teni Railway Gauge Conversion Project will help the farmers as it will give them new markets.
The multi-modal logistic parks will be a paradigm shift in the freight ecosystem of the country.
“Each of these projects across various sectors will boost job creation and our resolve to be Atma Nirbhar.”
Modi congratulated all those getting houses as a part of the historic Chennai Light House project under the PM-Awas Yojana.
“This has been a very satisfying project as we started a global change. And in record time the first project has been realized and I am glad that it is in Chennai,” he said.
The Government is fully focused on building infrastructure that is top quality and sustainable, he said referring to both physical and coastal infrastructure.
The Prime Minister remarked that the government has gone beyond what is traditionally referred to as infrastructure. A few years ago, he said, infrastructure referred to roads, power and water.
“Today, we are working to expand India’s gas pipeline network. Work is happening on i-ways. It is our vision to bring high-speed internet to every village.” fiinews.com
