PM speaks about coastal development plans of his govt for Gujarat at Somnath

Somnath: Addressing a public meeting at Somnath today morning, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said out of 400 projects identified under Sagarmala project for coastal area development, 40 projects are going to come up only in Gujarat which will result into Rs 45,000 crore investment.

Sharing the details of development plant of his government, Shri Modi said 18 ports will be modernized, 11 ports are going to be offered upgraded connectivity, 7 projects will be for port laid development, and there are also 4 coastal community development plans.

The Prime Minister said, Kandla port which is busy with activities has been made a profit making port. Many years have passed but Kanla Port has touched 1,000 lakh tonne figure so far. We want to take it to 1100 lkh tonne. There will be a smart industrial port city in Kandla. Manufacturing town will bein 1400 acre area. More than 50,000 jobs will be at one place.

He said an iconic bridge will be built connecting Okha and Bet Dwarka. At present the study for foundation work of this Rs 500 crore bridge project is going on. The bridge will have wind energy generation feature attached to it. One would be able to walk on the bridge, pedal the bicycle or move in car or even can carry goods. The bridge Modi said will become big center of tourism. The region that has Somnath, Dwarka, Porbandar, Gir Lion and Diu offers amazing tourism potential with comprehensive plan for that. The bridge would be such that people would come to see it.

Modi said some announcements he made at Bharuch yesterday were meant for benefit to Saurashtra region. He was referring to the announcement of conversion of 8 state highways to national highway. Modi said central government will take responsibility of 8 highways. The highways will be wider and offer more facilities. The government will spend Rs 12,000 crore for these 8 roads.

Modi said the government has permitted export of groundnut oil which would make it possible to avail good price of crops to farmers here. Modi also spoke about a scheme, the central government is working on which would offer 50% subsidy for mechanized fishing boat purchase to groups of five poor fishermen.

Modi said: this scheme will not have space for middleman, politicians, businessmen. Five poor fishermen if come together and form a group will be availed 50% subsidy from government for purchase of machine boat which can go beyond 12 nautical miles distance where ordinary fishing small boat can’t go. The boat will also have cold storage facility.

Modi said paper work is going on for this scheme and suggestions by fishermen are welcome.

DeshGujarat