Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh), August 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated, dedicated, and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately ₹18,000 crore in Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing a public gathering on the occasion, PM Modi said, “Along with the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, these projects are related to Andhra’s road connectivity. These projects also include projects related to energy security. These developments symbolize the speed at which Andhra is progressing. I wish you all the best for these projects.”
Prime Minister Modi said, “Our government’s mantra is ‘investment creates employment.’ Therefore, the government has increased investment and we are also encouraging the private sector to invest, because when investment increases, manufacturing increases. When manufacturing increases, exports increase, and when exports increase, new employment opportunities are created.” And when employment increases, people’s incomes increase, and families’ lives improve.
He said, “Today’s event is also about creating new history and new records. On one hand, new development records are being set, and at the same time, a cultural record of Dhimsa dance has also been created. Chandrababu’s speciality is that he has touched two horizons. On one hand, the construction of the airport and on the other, the world record of Dhimsa dance by tribal sisters. I especially appreciate this vision of Chandrababu.”
PM Modi said, “The performance of more than 13,000 tribal sisters and daughters, their enthusiasm, their discipline, and the pride of tribal culture, was a wonderful sight. It reflected the diversity of the country and the tribal heritage preserved from generation to generation. I congratulate everyone, especially the tribal sisters and daughters, for this performance.”
Airport named after Alluri Sitarama Raju on his land
PM Modi said, “This is the land of Alluri Sitarama Raju. Today, on the same land where he dedicated his life to tribal interests, Andhra Pradesh’s new airport is being inaugurated. This airport is the runway for the growth of Andhra and North Andhra. It is the launchpad for a better future for the youth here. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Andhra Pradesh and the country.”
The Prime Minister said, “Earlier, when airports were built, they were named after a single family. We have changed this tradition. We named the airport in Ayodhya after Valmiki, and the airport in Punjab after Saint Ravidas. The NDA government at the Centre has decided to name this new airport after Shri Alluri Sitarama Raju. Every citizen of Andhra Pradesh, every citizen of the country and the world who travels through this airport will be inspired by the name of Alluri Sitarama Raju to serve the people and the nation.”
Extraordinary progress of the country’s aviation sector in the last 12 years
PM Modi said that the country’s aviation sector has made extraordinary progress in the last 12 years. Until 2014, only 74 airports were operational in the country; today, this number has increased to 166. There was a time when air travel was limited to major cities. Under the NDA government, even ordinary people from small towns are traveling by flight. Over these 12 years, not only has the number of airports increased, but thanks to our UDAN scheme, even people from poor families are now getting the opportunity to fly. This scheme has helped the poorest of the poor fulfill their dreams. Just a few days ago, the government launched the second phase of the UDAN scheme, which will also cost ₹29,000 crore.
He further stated that the country has achieved another major milestone in the aviation sector. Just a few days ago, the Spoke Airport was inaugurated in Kashi. Today, the same model has reached Amritsar, Punjab. Amritsar will be connected to more than 25 international destinations. From this land of Andhra, I congratulate the people of Punjab for this achievement. Our Andhra Pradesh has always had the potential to become a growth engine for a developed India. To ensure that our efforts for Andhra Pradesh’s development move forward at double-engine speed, I sought the blessings of the people of Andhra for a double-engine government. Today, the entire NDA team, led by Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, is working at double-speed for Andhra Pradesh.
The country is continuously strengthening the blue economy today.
PM Modi said that the country is continuously strengthening the blue economy. A network of highways and expressways is being developed across Andhra Pradesh. Projects like the Visakhapatnam-Raipur Expressway are accelerating this entire region. To ensure this entire region is easily connected to major industrial centers in the country, railway projects worth approximately ₹1 lakh crore are underway in Andhra Pradesh. The entire rail network in the state has been electrified. Railway stations are also being modernized.
Andhra Pradesh has always been a forward-thinking state.
He said, “Rail, ports, and airports are being integrated.” Andhra Pradesh has always been a forward-thinking state. Andhra’s youth have made their mark globally in the software, IT, and tech sectors. Therefore, the government wants to connect this talent with the development power of Andhra Pradesh. It is essential that Andhra Pradesh and the country benefit as much as possible from the talents of these talented youth.