PM Modi Address Highlights| Together we can build Atmanirbhar Bharath of our dreams, says PM; inaugurates development & tourism projects in Kerala

Along with that, he inaugurated Cochin Port Trust's International Cruise Terminal and Cochin Shipyard's Vigyana Sagar, campus for Marine Engineering Training Institute.

"The government is dedicated to developing infrastructure to boost tourism. The International Cruise Terminal is an example of good tourism infrastructure", said Modi at the event. It will cater to over one lakh cruise guests giving them both comfort and convenience.

Talking about Vigyana Sagar the PM said, "Vigyana Sagar is the new knowledge campus of the Cochin Shipyard. Through this, we are expanding our human resources development capital".

Modi also laid the foundation stone of Cochin Port Trust's South Coal Berth. He said this will bring down logistic costs & improve cargo capacities, both being vital for a business to prosper.

Projects in Kerala will boost infrastructure and tourism

In his speech at the foundation stone laying and inauguration ceremony, he mentions how the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged people to travel to nearby places hence giving a push to local tourism. He urges young startups to look into innovative products that will boost local tourism. He also said the government is undertaking several steps to boost the tourism sector, the international cruise terminal being an example.

The country is prioritizing the 'blue economy' and the vision of the government is to improve improving infrastructure, sustainable coastal development, coastal connectivity.

"Better connectivity means more commerce and convenience; It will further reduce congestion and pollution", said the PM.

The Prime Minister also believes for India the definition and scope of infrastructure have changed. He says that the country is looking for not only good quantity but quality as well.

"Rs 110 lakh crore for infrastructure creation has been allocated with special interest to the northeast, coastal, and mountain areas," said PM Modi. Adding to that the PM says, India is embarking on a rather ambitious journey of broadband connectivity to every village.

Prime Minister mentioned the growing popularity of seaweed farming and asked innovators and researchers to strengthen this fishery sector.

Indian Diaspora in the Gulf

Talking about the Indian diaspora in the Gulf, PM Modi reassures them that they have the full support of the Indian government.

"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian government was sensitive to the needs of the Indian diaspora especially in the Gulf", said the PM. He mentions that the Vande Bharath Mission was successful in getting more than 50 lakh stranded Indians back home, many of whom belonged to Kerala.

"The governments of various Gulf nations have also released many Indians who were sadly in prisons there. The government will always speak up for such people", added the PM.

Prime Minister also touches upon the significant resources and schemes that the recent budget has allocated to Kerala, which will benefit the state multifold. In the same context, he praises the Kochi metro network and says it has set a 'good example of progressive work practices and professionalism'.

Everything PM Modi did in Chennai 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane and inaugurated several key projects at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on February 14.

At a function, he also accepted a salute by the state-of-the-art tank, which has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with 15 academic institutions, 8 labs and several MSMEs.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the PM thanked the people of Chennai for the "warm welcome" they offered him. "The city is full of energy and enthusiasm. This is the city of knowledge and creativity," he said.

The PM further said that the world is looking at India with great enthusiasm and positivity. "This is going to be India's decade. The government of India is committed to doing everything possible to support this search of aspiration and inspiration," said the PM.

"From Chennai, we begin key infrastructure projects. These projects are symbols of innovation and indigenous development. The projects will further the growth of Tamil Nadu," he said.

The PM also appreciated the farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production. The Grand Anicut is a living testimony of our glorious past, he said. He laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System on the day. The canal is important for irrigation in the delta districts. The modernization of this canal will be taken up at a cost of Rs.2,640 crore, and will lead to an improvement in the water carrying capacity of the canals.

"I am happy that we have inaugurated the 9 km stretch of Chennai Phase 1 project. Chennai Metro is growing rapidly and helping us in realising our Aatmanirbhar Bharat dream," said the PM. 

Earlier, on the day, PM Modi flagged off the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension, completed at a cost of Rs. 3770 crore, and commission the passenger services from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar. This 9.05 km long extension will link North Chennai with the Airport and Central Railway Station.

The budget for Metro is one of the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one go. The project will boost 'Ease Of Living' for Chennai and Tamil Nadu, he added.

The PM also inaugurated the fourth Railway line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu. This 22.1 km section, laid at a cost of Rs.293.40 crore, traverses through Chennai and Thiruvallur Districts and will ease out traffic from Chennai Port. This section connects the Chennai Port and Ennore Port and passes through major yards, providing operational flexibility for the movement of trains.

On the occasion, the PM also laid the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The Campus will be built at Thaiyur near Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs.1000 crore in the first phase, over an area of 2 lakh sqm.

Speaking about it, the PM said that this Research Centre will be a leading centre of discovery.

The PM further talked about the fishermen community. "India is proud of its fishermen community. Budget 2021 has provisions to ensure modern fishing harbours for our fishermen. Modern fishing harbours will begin in 5 centres including Chennai," he said.

Our Budget 2021 has showcased the importance of reforms. Special importance has been given to the development of coastal areas, he said.

All you need to know about PM Modi's agenda at Chennai and Kochi today:

The PM will launch numerous development works in Chennai and Kochi on the day. “Tomorrow, 14th February, will be in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Kochi (Kerala). Numerous development works would be launched that would add speed to fulfilling the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The projects will boost ‘Ease of Living’ for our citizens,” PM Modi tweeted on February 13.

The prime minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several key projects and hand over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Army, at Chennai at 11.15 am.

From Tamil Nadu, the PM will travel to Kerala where he will lay the foundation stone and dedicate various projects to the nation in Kochi at 3.30 pm.

These projects will add crucial momentum to the growth trajectory of these states and help hasten the pace of realizing full development potential, said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.