PM Modi unveils projects worth Rs 7,500 crore in Chhattisgarh to put state on fast growth track

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation development projects worth Rs 7,500 crores in  Chhattisgarh today including five National Highway projects worth around Rs 6,400 crores.

Addressing a massive gathering in Raipur, the Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the doubling of 103 km long Raipur – Khariar Road Rail Line which has been completed with an investment of Rs 750 crores and a 17 km long new railway line connecting Keoti – Antagarh developed at a cost of Rs 290 crores.

Further, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation a bottling plant of Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per annum at Korba constructed at a cost of over Rs 130 crores.

He also flagged off Antagarh – Raipur Train via video link. Further, the Prime Minister initiated the distribution of 75 lakh cards to the beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today’s occasion is extremely significant for the development journey of Chhattisgarh as the state is receiving development projects worth more than Rs 7000 crores in the infrastructure sector.

He also emphasized that these projects will give create employment opportunities in the state while also benefiting the paddy farmers, mineral industry and tourism industry of Chhattisgarh.

“The projects of today will mark a new journey of development and convenience in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the delay in the development of any region is directly related to the lack of infrastructure, Hence, the Prime Minister continued, the government is prioritizing infrastructure development in those specific regions which have lagged behind in terms of development.

“Infrastructure means ease of living and ease of doing business. Infrastructure means employment opportunities and fast-paced development”, the Prime Minister said.

He said that modern infrastructure development can also be witnessed in Chhattisgarh where in the last 9 years, road connectivity has expanded to thousands of tribal villages of the state under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana.

He noted that the Government has approved projects of about 3,500 km long National Highway where about 3000 km have also been completed. The Prime Minister also mentioned that Raipur-Kodebod and Bilaspur-Pathrapali highways have been inaugurated today. “Be it rail, road, telecom, the Government has done unprecedented work in Chhattisgarh in the last 9 years to boost all forms of connectivity as part of its is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vika policy,” he added.

The Prime Minister also informed that the Government is installing more than 700 mobile towers to ensure good 4G connectivity of which 300 towers have already started functioning. The tribal villages that once fell silent can now hear the buzzing of the ringtones”, he remarked.

He said that the Raipur-Vishakhapatnam Economic Corridor whose foundation stone has been laid today will become a new lifeline of this region as the journey between Raipur and Visakhapatnam will be reduced to half. He also mentioned that the 6-lane road will connect the paddy belt of Dhamtari, the bauxite belt of Kanker and the richness of handicrafts of Kondagaon to other parts of the country.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the construction of tunnels and animal passes for the convenience of wildlife as this road will pass through the wildlife region. “The rail line from Dalli Rajhara to Jagdalpur and direct train service from Antagarh to Raipur will also make it easier to travel to far-flung areas”, PM  Modi added.

“The Government is committed to creating new opportunities and setting up more industries in areas of natural wealth”, the Prime Minister said as he highlighted the efforts in this direction in the last 9 years which have given new energy to industrialization in Chhattisgarh.

Noting that the distribution of Ayushman cards to 75 lakh beneficiaries is already underway, the Prime Minister emphasized the guarantee of free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh every year in more than 1500 big hospitals of the state for the poor and tribal families. He expressed satisfaction that Ayushman Yojana is coming to the aid of the lives of poor, tribal, backward and Dalit families.