Nation wants development with human touch: Modi
| Date :12-Dec-2022 |
Staff Reporter
DEVELOPMENT must have human touch as without it the construction of roads and fly-overs have no meaning, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday. He was addressing a massive gathering at AIIMS ground here after dedicating various development projects with total estimated cost of Rs 75,000 crore.
Modi stated that the Government led by him had ushered in an era when infrastructure development was given a human touch in the country. “We treat infrastructure with human touch as Social Infrastructure. At the same time, our work in Kashi, Kedarnath, Ujjain, and Pandharpur reflects our push to Cultural Infrastructure. Similarly, we have given a push to Financial Infrastructure through inclusion, Medical Infrastructure by improving healthcare facilities for the common people. In all these endeavours, common thing is human touch and sensitivity,” he elaborated the point.
The Prime Minister called Sunday a very special day as ‘11 Stars’ were being added to shape the future of the region. He underlined the theme of ‘Amrit Varsh’ (75th anniversary) of Indian Independence and said that launch or dedication to the nation of projects worth Rs 75,000 crore coincided with the momentous occasion.
Speaking about development, the Prime Minister said that if common man was not benefitted, the project had no meaning. In the past, due to corruption and undefined goals, common man failed to benefit despite the Government spending huge amounts of money. Earlier, he added, delay was part and parcel of every big project and hence the nation could not capitalise on gains and talent also could not develop due to lack of resources. He also cited Gosikhurd national irrigation project in Vidarbha region as an example of insensitive handling of project. But, since 2017, the project has progressed well since the ‘Double Engine Sarkar’ came to power in Maharashtra, he added.
“Our Government has undertaken projects with holistic vision,” he said. He explained the importance of each of the projects and how they would benefit the citizens and nation. Reiterating the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’, Modi amplified ‘Sabka Prayas’ to highlight common benefit derived by strengthening the States. During last eight years, the country has been witnessing fast-paced development.
India has been marching to realise the vision of a developed Bharat, through collective will, said the Prime Minister.
Earlier, development was limited to a certain class and hence the opportunities also got limited. Now, he said, development was reaching to all and inclusive. “We have been focussing on transforming deprived regions into development powerhouses,” he highlighted.
‘Will invite PM for new airport work soon’
In his speech Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, said that Samruddhi Mahamarg was the best example of ‘Gati Shakti’ policy launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the greenfield expressway has gas pipeline, corridor for cargo superfast express. He also said that Maharashtra Government would invite the Prime Minister soon for launch of the new airport work in Nagpur.
Samruddhi Mahamarg project has sought clearance for laying optical fiber cable (OFC) network, said Fadnavis. The OFC network would enable setting-up of Data Centres in 10 districts through which the expressway passes and ensure all-round development of Maharashtra, he said. CNG pipeline would provide fuel for industries and also for vehicles. A salient point about the expressway is that it is the only project in country having port connectivity to all districts of State. Plans are afoot to have HVDC corridor by transferring solar power generated alongside the expressway. He applauded Radheshyam Mopalwar, Managing Director of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC); Anil Kumar Gaikwad, Joint Managing Director; Pravin Pardeshi and Manoj Sounik, both senior IAS officers, for being instrumental in implementation of the ambitious project.
‘Samruddhi Mahamarg will boost development’
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said that the Samruddhi Mahamarg would usher in development of Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra regions. He recalled that it was during his tenure in Maharashtra that MSRDC was formed. He informed the gathering that National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had planned six new expressways including Surat-Chennai, Nagpur-Vijayawada, and Nanded-Pune that would benefit the State economy.
‘Want to make Mah prosperous’
Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, reiterated that the State Government led by him and Devendra Fadnavis as Deputy Chief Minister was working to make Maharashtra prosperous. He expressed satisfaction at current pace of development in State and particularly referred to challenge that came during development of Samruddhi Mahamarg. “Some people tried to create hurdles in land acquisition for Samruddhi Mahamarg. We overcame the hurdles and acquired land in record time. We also created under and over passes for wildlife,” he added. Referring to G-20 Presidency of India, he said that the State Government was ready for branding to take advantage of the moment. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fueling rise in India’s stature on International stage, he said that Maharashtra would need the Prime Minister’s co-operation in fetching new investment to State.