Atal Setu presents a picture of Viksit Bharat: PM Modi

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a historic day not only for Mumbai and Maharashtra but also for the resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra today. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu built at a cost of more than Rs 17,840 crores in Navi Mumbai. The development projects being inaugurated today include sectors of road and rail connectivity, drinking water, gems and jewellery and women empowerment

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a historic day not only for Mumbai and Maharashtra but also for the resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat’. “Even though these development projects are taking place in Mumbai, the entire nation’s eyes are glued to it”, Shri Modi said. Referring to the inauguration of India’s longest sea bridge Atal Setu, the Prime Minister said that it is proof of the commitment towards India’s growth. Today’s occasion, the Prime Minister said, is also a symbol of accomplishment through resolution as he recalled laying the foundation stone for MTHL Atal Setu on December 24, 2016. He reiterated the government’s commitment towards completing large-scale projects as he pointed out that the citizens during the past were left hopeless owing to the negligent attitude prevalent during previous governments. “The country will move forward and the country will progress. This was Modi’s guarantee in 2016”, the Prime Minister said, “I dedicate Atal Setu to Mumbaikars and the nation bowing before Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mumba Devi and Siddhivinayak.” He lauded the on-time completion of MTHL Atal Setu owing to the disruptions caused during the coronavirus pandemic and said that the inauguration, dedication or foundation stone laying of any development project is not a photo opp but it is a medium for the creation of India. “Every such project contributes to the development of a magnificent India”, the Prime Minister said.

Referring to today’s  projects which are in the areas of roads, railways, metro and water, and business-related infrastructure, the Prime Minister said that most of these projects were initiated when there was double engine government in the state and lauded the team's efforts led by Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar.

Expressing gratitude for the presence and blessings  of women, the Prime Minister said “The guarantee of empowerment of the daughters and sisters given by Modi is being carried forward by the Maharashtra government”. He pointed out that schemes like Mukhyamantri Mahila Sakshmikaran Abhitan, Nari Shaktidoot application and  Lek Ladki Yojana are efforts in that direction. “Coming forward with women and leading the movement for Viksit Bharat is very critical. Removal of every obstacle in the path of our mother and daughters and ensuring ease of life for them is a priority for our government”, he added. He listed schemes like Ujjwala, Ayushman Card, Jan Dhan Accounts, pucca houses under PM Awas, Matru Vandana, 26-week maternity leave, and Sukanya Samridhi accounts to illustrate the concern for women's needs. “Mahila Kalyan is the foremost guarantee of any double-engine government in any state”, he added.

He said that Atal Setu is filling everyone with pride for its size, ease of travel, engineers and scale. He informed that the steel used in the project is sufficient to construct  4 Hawara Bridges and 6 Statue of Liberty. The Prime Minister thanked the Government of Japan for their assistance and remembered Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “We had resolved to complete the construction of this bridge as quickly as possible”, PM Modi recalled.

“Atal Setu is the acclamation of the aspirations that the entire nation made in 2014”, the Prime Minister remarked. Recalling the time before the 2014 elections when the Prime Minister visited Raigarh Fort and spent time at Shivaji’s samadhi, he said that the nation has witnessed the dreams and resolutions taken 10 years ago, come true today. “Atal Setu is a reflection of this belief and it presents a picture of Viksit Bharat”, he said underlining that MHTL Atal Setu instils new beliefs among the youth. “Viksit Bharat will consist of services and prosperity for all. It will have speed and progress which will bring the world closer. Life and livelihood will continue to flourish. This is the message of Atal Setu”, the Prime Minister said.  

Throwing light on the transformations brought about in India in the past 10 years, the Prime Minister pointed out that the image of a transformed India becomes even clearer when one recalls the India before 2014. “Earlier, multi million crore scams were part of discussion, today the discussions revolve around the completion of projects worth thousands of crores”, Shri Modi exclaimed. He gave examples of the completion of Bhupen Hazarika Setu and Bogibeel Bridge in the Northeast, Atal Tunnel and Chenab Bridge, multiple expressways, modern railway stations, Eastern and Western freight corridor, Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat trains, and inauguration of new airports.

Giving examples of recent mega development projects in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister mentioned the inauguration of Bala Saheb Thackrey Samruddhi Mahamarg and the ongoing work on Navi Mumbai Airport and Coastal Road Project which is bound to change the face of connectivity in Mumbai. He also touched upon the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive to further increase ease of travel. “Soon, Mumbai will also get its first bullet train”, he added, “Delhi-Mumbai Economic Corridor will connect Maharashtra with Central and Northern India. Transmission line networks are also being laid to connect Maharashtra with Telangana, Chhattisgarh and other neighboring states. Big projects of oil and gas pipeline, Aurangabad Industrial City, Navi Mumbai Airport, and Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Park are going to give a new impetus to the economy of Maharashtra.”

The Prime Minister illustrated how the taxpayer’s money is being used for the nation’s development and contrasted it with the callous misuse of this money earlier. He talked about the Nilwande Dam project started 5 decades ago and completed by the current government and work on the Uran-Kharkopar railway line was started 3 decades ago, fast-tracked by the double-engine government and the first phase dedicated to the nation today. Similarly, the first phase of Navi Mumbai Metro Project was completed after a long delay. He informed that even Atal Setu was in planning for 5-6 decades. and Bandra-Worli SeaLink, a 5 times smaller project took more than 10 years and the budget increased by 4-5 times.

The Prime Minister informed that the construction of Atal Setu involved employing around 17,000 laborers and 1500 engineers while also creating employment opportunities in the transport and construction industries. “Atal Setu will strengthen all business activities in the region and also boost Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Life”, he added.

“Today, India is progressing simultaneously on two fronts”, PM Modi emphasized. He said that on the one hand, the government is running mega campaigns to improve the livelihood of the poor, while major projects are being run in every part of the country on the other. The Prime Minister mentioned, contrasting Atal Pension Yojna and Atal Setu, Ayushman Bharat Yojna and Vande Bharat-Amrit Bhart trains, PM Kisan Sammanidhi and PM Gatishakti. The Prime Minister credited the intention and loyalty of the government towards citizens while also lamenting the intentions of the previous governments who were power-hungry and focused on their own families rather than the common populace. Throwing light on the lack of development, the Prime Minister informed that a budget of only Rs 12 lakh crore was given for infrastructure in the 10 years before 2014 whereas a budget of Rs 44 lakh crore for infrastructure has been presented in the 10 years of the present government. “In Maharashtra alone, the Central Government has either completed infrastructure projects worth about Rs 8 lakh crore or work on them is in progress. This amount is also increasing new employment opportunities in every sector”, he added.

Referring to the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, the Prime Minister said “Modi's guarantee begins where expectations from others end.” He mentioned cleanliness, education, medical help and earning-related schemes that have benefitted women the most. PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras, SVANidhi, PM Awas and help to Self Help Groups are creating ‘Lakhpati Didis’. The Prime Minister said that the goal is to create 2 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’. Maharashtra Government schemes are also working in this direction. “I assure you that the double-engine government will continue to work with the same dedication for the development of Maharashtra. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Maharashtra becomes a strong pillar of developed India”, PM Modi concluded.

Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar were present on the occasion among others.

(With Inputs from PIB)