Mumbai: Sounding the poll bugle for the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for nearly Rs 29,400 crore worth of infrastructure projects in the state on July 13. During his visit to the megapolis, Modi emphasized his commitment to leveraging Maharashtra’s potential to transform it into a global economic powerhouse.
Addressing a large gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted Maharashtra’s critical role in India’s development, citing its strengths in industry, agriculture, and finance, with Mumbai being the financial hub of the country. “I aim to use the power of Maharashtra to transform it into an economic powerhouse of the world; Make Mumbai the fintech capital of the world,” Modi declared.
Among the major projects, Modi laid the foundation stone for the 11.8 km Thane-Borivali tunnel project, valued at Rs 16,600 crore. This twin-tube tunnel will pass below the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, connecting the Western Express Highway at Borivali with Thane Ghodbander Road.
Additionally, the Prime Minister initiated the 6.5 km tunnel work at the Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, worth over Rs 6,300 crore. This project will provide road connectivity between the Western Express Highway at Goregaon and the Eastern Express Highway at Mulund.
To boost the logistics industry, Modi laid the foundation stone for the GatiShakti multimodal cargo terminal in Navi Mumbai, which will span over 32,600 square meters. This terminal is expected to create additional employment opportunities and serve as an auxiliary terminal for handling cement and other commodities.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the recently approved Vadhavan port project, valued at Rs 76,200 crore, which is projected to create over 10 lakh jobs.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s rich heritage and natural beauty, Modi expressed his vision for the state to excel in tourism, including medical and conference tourism. He noted Maharashtra’s magnificent forts of Shivaji Maharaj, the Konkan coastline, and the Sahyadri Mountain Range as key attractions.
“Maharashtra is going to write a new chapter of development in India, and we are its co-travellers,” Modi said, emphasizing the importance of improving connectivity in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. He cited the completed coastal road and Atal Setu projects, which save an estimated Rs 20-25 lakh worth of fuel daily by accommodating nearly 20,000 vehicles.
The rapid development of Mumbai’s metro system was also highlighted, with the metro network expanding from 8 km a decade ago to 80 km today, with ongoing work to extend it to 200 km.
Modi stated that these connectivity projects are enhancing tourism, agriculture, industry, and employment, while also easing the burden on women. He praised the double engine government (Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP Alliance) for initiatives like skilling 10 lakh youth and scholarships under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikhan Yojana.
In his speech, the Prime Minister referred to a recent report by the Reserve Bank of India, which indicated the creation of approximately 8 crore jobs in the past 3-4 years. “Employment is created when bridges are built, railway tracks are laid, roads are constructed, and local trains are manufactured. The rate of employment in the country is directly proportional to infrastructure development,” Modi asserted.
The event marks a significant step towards transforming Maharashtra into a global economic hub, with a focus on comprehensive development and employment generation.
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