PM launches development projects to 'improve' lives in Puducherry
By TIOL News Service
PUDUCHERRY, FEB 25, 2021: PRIME Minister Mr Narendra Modi on Thursday visited poll-bound Puducherry, inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of various projects in the Union Territory (UT) as he attacked their now-collapsed Congress-DMK government.
"In 2016, Puducherry didn't get a people's government. They got a government that was busy serving the Congress high command in Delhi - their priorities were different," said Mr Modi, adding "Congress government in Puducherry made it a point to damage every sector. It doesn't believe in working for the people."
He then delivered the 'BEST' mantra as their manifesto for the election. "If you ask me to share my manifesto for Puducherry, I want it to be the 'BEST.' By BEST, I mean - B for business hub, E for education hub, S for spiritual hub, and T for tourism hub."
Earlier, the Prime Minister launched projects worth over Rs. 3,023 crore that "will improve the life of the people" of the UT, he said.
He inaugurated the Blood Centre at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) and the Phase-1 project of Medical College Building at its Karaikal New Campus, noting that the government is invested in improving the healthcare sector.
"India needs world class infrastructure to cater to our development needs… The government has made many efforts to improve rural and coastal connectivity," said the PM as he laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of NH45-A covering Karaikal district.
Mr Modi also launched a minor port, the Puducherry Port Development under the Sagarmala Scheme which will facilitate cargo movement to Chennai and ease fishing operations. "The coast is the spirit of Puducherry. There is so much potential in fisheries, port, shipping and the blue economy," he added.
He launched the synthetic athletic track at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and inaugurated a 100-bed hostel for women athletes at Lawspet. He also inaugurated the reconstructed Heritage Marie Building.
The Prime Minister stated that Puducherry has got rich human resources and potential for increased industrial and tourism development that will provide a more employment and opportunity.
"The people of Puducherry are talented. This land is beautiful. I am here to personally assure all possible support from my government for the development of Puducherry," he said.