Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stone of projects worth more than ₹ 5200 crores in Bhavnagar today. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the world’s first CNG terminal and brownfield port at Bhavnagar. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Regional Science Centre, spread over 20 acres and constructed at a cost of around ₹100 crore.
During the programme, the Prime Minister also launched various other projects including Package 7 Sauni Yojna link 2, 25 MW Palitana Solar PV Project, APPL Container Project (Aawadkrupa Plastomech Pvt. Ltd.); and laid the foundation stone of projects including package 9 Sauni Yohna link 2, water supply project in Chorvadla zone, among others. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister thanked the people for coming to the event in such large numbers despite the warm weather.
On one hand, he said that as the country celebrates 75 years of independence, Bhavnagar has completed 300 years of its establishment. During this 300-year journey, Bhavnagar grew steadily and became famous as the cultural capital of Saurashtra. This development journey of Bhavnagar will get a new impetus through the projects launched and planned today.
He said he strongly believes that the Rajkot-Jamnagar-Bhavnagar region will soon have the same aura as Surat-Vadodara-Ahmedabad. He said that Bhavnagar has huge potential in industry, agriculture and business. Today’s event is a vivid example of the two-engine government’s efforts in this direction.
The Prime Minister noted that Bhavnagar is a coastal district and Gujarat has the longest coastline in the country. But due to the lack of attention to the development of coastal areas in the decades after independence, this vast coastline has become a kind of big challenge for people. Highlighting the work done by the twin-engine government, the Prime Minister noted that in the last two decades, the government has made sincere efforts to make Gujarat’s coast a gateway to India’s prosperity.
“We have built many ports in Gujarat, modernized many ports,” the prime minister added, “new employment opportunities have been created.” The Prime Minister pointed out that Gujarat was the first state in the country to get an LNG terminal and today Gujarat has three LNG terminals.
Importance of the coastal ecosystem
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the coastal ecosystem and noted that the government plays a key role in the development of coastal industries and energy networks for these industries. Fishing harbors were built and fish processing promoted for the benefit of the fishing community. Mangrove forests have also been developed in the area. Shri Modi also noted that the then Government at the Center had said that many lessons can be learned from Gujarat on how to develop the coastal region.
The Prime Minister also said that the government has taken key steps to advance aquaculture. About the coast of Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that today it has become a means of employment for thousands of people, besides playing a major role in the country’s imports and exports. “Coast Gujarat is becoming synonymous with renewable energy and hydrogen ecosystem today,” he continued, “We have tried to make Saurashtra an energy hub. Today, whatever the country’s energy needs, this region is becoming an important hub.
Bhavnagar port will play a big role
The Prime Minister emphasized that Bhavnagar port will play a big role in building an independent India and will create hundreds of new employment opportunities in the state. “There will be expansion of warehousing, transportation and logistics business,” Shri Modi added. Referring to the legacy of the Alang Shipyard, the Prime Minister said that Bhavnagar would be the biggest beneficiary of the scrapping policy. He also highlighted the related possibilities of building containers from scrap iron.
Noting that Lothal is an important center of our heritage, the Prime Minister said that it is the oldest port in the world and the construction of Lothal Maritime Museum will create a new identity for the place. The prime minister also pointed out that work is being done at a fast pace to get on the world tourism map. “Along with Lothal, the eco-tourism circuit in Velavadar National Park will also benefit Bhavnagar, especially small businesses,” added the Prime Minister. Shri Modi recalled the time when fishermen in the area had to face life-threatening situations due to lack of awareness.
Special red basket
Recalling the time when the Prime Minister was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he said that a special red basket with several buttons was given to a fisherman. In case of emergency, the fisherman had to press a button to call the Coast Guard office for help or assistance. The Prime Minister further added that subsidies were provided to fishermen to improve the condition of their boats. “In line with the empowerment of farmers, credit cards have been issued to fishermen,” said Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the changes brought about after the introduction of yojna sauna which started in Rajkot. Highlighting the relentless progress of the project despite initial cynicism in some quarters, the Prime Minister said that “today, the Sauni Yojna is taking the Narmada to all its destinations at a meteoric pace”. The Prime Minister emphasized that the projects launched today will take the waters of Narmada river to many districts of Bhavnagar and Amreli.
Garib Kalyan Melas
Shri Modi pointed out that it will immensely benefit the farmers of several villages of Gariadhar, Jesar and Mahuva talukas of Bhavnagar, along with Rajula and Khambha talukas of Amreli district. “Work has also started today to reach hundreds of villages and dozens of towns in Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Botad, Junagadh, Rajkot and Porbandar districts,” the Prime Minister added.
At the end of the speech, the Prime Minister said that supporting those left behind is the commitment of the twin-engine government. When the poorest of the poor gain resources and dignity, they overcome poverty through hard work and perseverance. The Prime Minister remarked, “We often organize Garib Kalyan Melas in Gujarat.
During one such program I handed over a tricycle to a sister here in Bhavnagar. Then the nurse told me that I had never driven a tricycle. So give only an electric tricycle. This faith and these dreams of the poor are my strength even today. These dreams, these aspirations of the poor give me the energy to work continuously.” Remembering his long association with Bhavnagar, the Prime Minister remembered his old associates and went down the memory lane. He said today’s projects will contribute to the bright future of Bhavnagar.
