The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various projects at Alstrom Cricket Ground in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Earlier in the day, he also flagged off the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express in Chennai.
More Details:
- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express at MGR Chennai Central Railway Station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister inspected the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express and also interacted with children as well as with the train’s crew.
- Addressing the gathering, he said that Tamil Nadu is the home of history and heritage, the land of language and literature. Highlighting that many of our freedom fighters are from Tamil Nadu, the state is a centre of patriotism and national consciousness.
- He noted that Tamil Nadu Puthandu is around the corner and it is the time for new energy, hope, aspirations and new beginnings. Many new infrastructure projects will begin to serve the people from today while some will witness their beginnings, the new projects related to railways, roadways and airways will add to the new year celebrations.
- Electrification of rail lines per year has increased from 600 route kilometres to 4000 route kilometres.
- Tamil Nadu’s development is of great priority to the government, he informed that the state has been allocated an all-time high of over Rs 6,000 crores for rail infrastructure in this year’s Budget. He further added that the average amount allocated per year during 2009-2014 was less than Rs 900 crores. Between 2004 and 2014.
- Noting that Coimbatore has been an industrial powerhouse, whether it is the textile sector, MSMEs or industries, the modern connectivity will only increase the productivity of its people and informed that the journey between Chennai and Coimbatore will only be around 6 hours due to the Vande Bharat Express.
- It will also benefit textile and industrial hubs like Salem, Erode and Tirupur. Referring to Madurai, he said that the city is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and one of the most ancient cities in the world. The projects of today will boost the modern infrastructure of this ancient city.
Shri Narendra Modi tweeted “The wonderful cities of Chennai and Coimbatore have even better connectivity thanks to the Vande Bharat Express. Flagged off the train and also met young friends on the occasion.”
- Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R. N. Ravi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M. K. Stalin and the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri L. Murugan, Member of Parliament from Sriperumbudur, Shri T. R. Baalu and Ministers from Government of Tamil Nadu were present on the occasion among others.
Background:
- He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of road projects worth about Rs 3700 crores. He also inaugurated the 7.3 km long Elevated Corridor in Madurai City and the 24.4 km long four-lane road of National Highway 785.
- He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of road projects of National Highway-744. The project worth more than Rs. 2400 Crore will boost inter-state connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Kerala and ensure a convenient journey for pilgrims visiting Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Andal Temple in Srivilliputhur and Sabarimala in Kerala.
- He also inaugurated the 37-kilometre gauge conversion section between Thiruthuraipoondi and Agasthiyampalli, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 294 Crores. This will benefit the movement of edible and industrial salt from Agasthiyampalli in Nagapattinam district.
- He also flagged off the Express service between Tambaram and Sengottai. He also flagged off a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) service from Thiruthuraipoondi – Agasthiyampalli, which will benefit commuters from Coimbatore, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.
Source: PIB- Press Release | Images Credit: MoR
