Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of projects worth around Rs 4,400 crore at Bhuj in Gujarat.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Kachchh Branch Canal of Sardar Sarovar Project. The total length of the Canal is around 357 km. A part of the canal was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2017 and the remaining part is being inaugurated now. Canal would help in providing irrigation facilities in Kachchh and drinking water in all 948 villages and 10 towns of the Kachchh district.
PM Modi also inaugurated various other projects including the New Automatic Milk Processing and Packing Plant of Sarhad Dairy; Regional Science Centre, Bhuj; Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Convention Centre at Gandhidham; Veer Bal Smarak at Anjar; Bhuj 2 Substation at Nakhatrana etc. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of various projects worth over Rs. 1500 crores as well, including the Bhuj- Bhimasar Road.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that Smriti Van Memorial in Bhuj and Veer Bal Smarak at Anjar are the symbols of shared pain of Kutch, Gujarat and the entire country. He recalled when the concept of Anjar Memorial came up and a resolution was taken for completing the memorial via voluntary work, ‘Kar Seva’.
He said that these memorials are being dedicated with a heavy heart in the remembrance of the lives lost in the devastating earthquake.
He said that in commemorating the departed souls, the 470 acres Smriti Van Memorial is at par with 9/11 memorial and Hiroshima Memorial. He urged people and school children to keep visiting the memorial so that the balance and behaviour of nature remains clear to everyone.
The Prime Minister recalled the eve of the devastating earthquake. He said “I remember when the earthquake happened, I reached here on the second day itself. I was not the Chief Minister then, I was a simple party worker. I didn’t know how, and how many people I would be able to help. But I decided that I will be here among you all in that hour of grief. And, when I became Chief Minister, the experience of service helped me a lot.”
“There were many who said that now Kutch will never be able to stand on its feet. But today the people of Kutch have completely changed the scenario here,” he pointed out.
Highlighting the incredible work done since its complete devastation in 2001, the Prime Minister said that Krantiguru Shyamji Krishnavarma University was formed in 2003 in Kutch, while more than 35 new colleges have also been established. He also talked about earthquake proof district hospitals and more than 200 functional clinics in the area and every household gets clean water of holy Narmada, a far cry from the days of water scarcity in those days.
He elaborated on the steps of ensuring water security in the region and how the Kutch Bhuj Canal will benefit the people and farmers of the region.
He also congratulated Kutch for becoming number one fruit producing district of entire Gujarat. He lauded the people for making unprecedented strides in cattle rearing and milk production. “Kutch has not only picked itself up but has taken the entire Gujarat to new heights”, he added.
He explained how ignoring all the efforts for defaming Gujarat and defying the conspiracies, theories, the state charted a new industrial path of which Kutch was one of the big beneficiaries.
He said that Kutch has the largest cement plants in the world today. Kutch is second in the world regarding welding pipe manufacturing. World’s second largest textile plant is also in Kutch. Asia’s first SEZ came up in Kutch. Kandla and Mundra ports handle 30 per cent of India’s cargo and it produces 30 per cent salt for the country.
Kutch produces 2500 MW power generated by solar and wind energy and the largest solar hybrid park is coming up in Kutch. The Prime Minister further added that Gujarat has a big role to play in the Green House campaign that is going on in the country today. Similarly, when Gujarat makes its mark as the Green House Capital of the world, Kutch will contribute a lot to it, he added.
