Chennai, Oct 11 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he has taken development as his ‘mantra,’ and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the people of Tamil Nadu and ensuring the state’s progress by working with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
He listed the rapid strides made in various sectors in the last 12 years, including the significant jump in defence exports.
In his address after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for railway, road and petroleum-related projects worth about Rs 13,000 crore with Vijay, the PM underscored his commitment to ensure development.
During the inauguration, the prime minister invited Vijay with a gesture to jointly flag off the Chennai Metro Phase-2 network, marking a milestone event carrying immense political and administrative significance for the centre-state ties. He held Vijay’s hand and jointly flagged off the service. The Chennai Metro Phase 2 network has been executed as a joint venture between the Central and Tamil Nadu state governments.
Later, at the launch of infrastructure projects too, the PM held CM Vijay’s hand to jointly inaugurate the initiatives.
During his subsequent address, Prime Minister Modi said, “I have always taken the country’s development as my mantra”.
“As chief minister, I understood the expectations of a state. After becoming PM, not only did I try to fulfil the aspirations but also made efforts so that the states meet their aspiration goals,” he said.
Referring to Tamil Nadu, he said when he was CM, he got the opportunity to interact with late leaders M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa when they headed Tamil Nadu. And, after becoming prime minister, he could work with former CMs O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami and M K Stalin.
“Governments may change, but my resolve for Tamil Nadu’s development, serving its people remains steadfast. With this determination to serve people, together with CM Vijay, we are taking forward the development of the state,” he said.
TVK founder Vijay had ushered in his maiden government by winning the April Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Referring to his completion of 25 years as PM and CM, Modi said, “As head of government, my trust in people and cooperative federalism has grown strong”.
“A few days ago, with the blessings of the people, I completed 25 years of public service as a head of government – an important milestone. In October 2001, I took the oath as the chief minister of Gujarat. From there onwards, the people allowed me to serve them, first as chief minister and later as prime minister. Over these 25 years, my faith in two great strengths of our democracy has grown even stronger. First, the people of the country; and second, cooperative federalism,” the PM said.
He said Tamil Nadu has played a significant role in the journey of strengthening port infrastructure to take the shipping sector to new heights. With an investment of around Rs 17,000 crore, V O Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi is being developed into a world-class mega container and green energy hub. Once completed, the port will be able to accommodate the world’s ultra-large container vessels. “This will help transform Tamil Nadu into a global hub for industry and transportation,” he said.
He noted that since 2014, India’s electronics exports increased 11-fold, while defence exports have grown 50-fold. Engineering exports have also reached new records. The growth in manufacturing has created lakhs of jobs for the youth, and the people of Tamil Nadu have played an important role in driving this manufacturing growth.
“I have always believed that urbanisation is not a challenge but an opportunity, and public transportation plays a crucial role in realising that opportunity. Good public transport improves the ease of living for people. However, better transportation requires more than just widening roads. Modern cities need holistic infrastructure. That is why, over the last decade, we have focused on expanding metro connectivity across the country,” he said.
In 2014, metro services were available in only five cities, but today, they are operational in 25 cities across the country.
From mandir to metro, these experiences of Tamil Nadu reflected the spirit of India, which draws strength and inspiration from its cultural heritage, he said and noted that the Rs 13,000 crore worth of projects that he inaugurated and laid foundations for new ones would make daily travel easier; others will strengthen industry and trade. “Together, they will create jobs for young people across Tamil Nadu,” Modi said.
Following the inauguration, PM Modi took a ride on the Chennai Metro from Porur Bypass Station to Poonamallee Bypass Station and back, accompanied by Chief Minister Vijay and senior officials. PTI JR JSP VGN SA JSP ADB
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