Live: PM Modi lays foundation stone and dedicates various development projects in Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Raipur: In a major push to infrastructure development, Prime Minister dedicating and laying the foundation stone for five National Highway projects worth around Rs. 6,400 crores. The projects that are being dedicated to the nation include the 33 km long 4-laning of Raipur to Kodebod section on the Jabalpur-Jagdalpur National Highway. Besides boosting tourism, the section is integral for the movement of raw goods, finished products of Steel plants near Jagdalpur and provides connectivity to iron ore rich areas. Prime Minister is also dedicating to the nation the 53 km long 4-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of Bilaspur to Ambikapur section of NH-130. It will help improve connectivity of Chhattisgarh with Uttar Pradesh and will boost movement of coal by providing connectivity to coal mines in adjoining areas.

Prime Minister is also laying the foundation stone for three National Highway projects for the Chhattisgarh Section of the 6-lane Greenfield Raipur – Visakhapatnam corridor. These include development of 43 km long six lane Jhanki-Sargi section on NH 130 CD; 57 km long six lane Sargi-Basanwahi section on NH 130 CD; and 25 km long six lane Basanwahi-Marangpuri section of NH-130 CD. A key component is a 6-Lane tunnel of 2.8 Km length with 27 animal passes and 17 monkey canopies provided for unrestricted wildlife movement in Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary area. These projects will provide better connectivity to rice mills in Dhamtari and bauxite rich areas in Kanker, and also benefit the handicrafts industry in Kondagaon. Overall, these projects will give a major thrust to socio-economic development of the region.

Prime Minister is also inaugurating the doubling of 103 km long Raipur – Khariar Road Rail Line which has been completed at a cost of Rs. 750 Crores. It will ease transportation of coal, steel, fertilisers and other commodities from ports for industries in Chhattisgarh. He is also inaugurating a 17 km long new railway line connecting Keoti – Antagarh. Developed at a cost of Rs. 290 crores, the new railway line will provide connectivity to Bhilai Steel Plant with Iron Ore Mines of Dalli Rajhara and Rowghat areas and will link remote areas of southern Chhattisgarh passing through dense forests.

Prime Minister dedicates to the nation a bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60 thousand metric ton per annum at Korba, constructed at a cost of over Rs 130 crores. Further, Prime Minister is also kickstarting the distribution of 75 lakh cards to the beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat.