Modi harps on development agenda, predicts accelerated growth in AP

Visakhapatnam Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Andhra Pradesh will have accelerated growth due to the development agenda being pursued vigorously by the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre.

He was addressing a mammoth public meeting here at the sprawling Andhra University Engineering College grounds. On arrival at the venue from Eastern Naval Command 's headquarter base, he was welcomed tumultuously by teeming crowds with 'Modi Modi chanting.' Governor Bishwa Bhushan Harichandan, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Contrary to the expectation, the PM's itinerary was finalised by not including the laying of the stone for South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone headquarters in Visakhapatnam, the first phase of IIM at Gambheeram and dedicating to the nation of HPCL Visakh Refinery's 15 million tonne expansion project with an outlay of Rs.26,000 crore. There was disappointment in certain sections as the PM did not mention about the demand for retaining RINL, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, in the public sector and ambiguity about the capital of the State and announcement about promises made at the time of bifurcation.

The Prime Minister at the public meeting laid stone for/dedicated to the nation/inaugurated nine projects at a cost over Rs.10,742 crore. The projects include stone laying for modernisation of Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour at a cost of Rs.150 crore, 6-lane greenfield Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor of NH130CD in Andhra Pradesh, Rs.460-crore redevelopment of Visakhapatnam Railway Station and GAIL Srikakulam-Angul natural gas pipeline project stretching over 745 km.

The PM also inaugurated/dedicated to the nation the rehabilitation and upgradation of NH 326A from Narsannapeta to Pathapatnam(excluding to road overbridges and its approaches, to two-lane with paved shoulder in AP part of Srikakulam-Gajapati Corridor and ONGC U field monetisation of KG DWN-98/2 deepwater block.

In his address in Hindi, which was translated into Telugu by an interpreter, Modi said Visakhapatnam has a rich past with the port contributing a lot towards trade and commerce and praised the people of Andhra Pradesh for their enterprising nature and talent getting recognition all over the world.

He said despite a volatile situation internationally, India has turned into a centre of attraction for many due to the progressive economic agenda being implemented by the Union Government. He said the aim is clear, it is not impossible to achieve anything. He said India is scripting a new record by chanting success mantra and pointed out how GST rollout, PM's Gatishakti, National Infrastructure Pipeline and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code with thrust on augmenting infrastructure is yielding tangible results.

"In the sunrise sector, the government is offering a window of opportunities to the youth right from startups in drones to space technology," he stated and narrated how they are keen on offering slew of incentives to improve the standards of living of all sections in society," he stated.