Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a gathering in Maharashtra's Palghar on Friday, expressed his regret over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg. He began his speech by acknowledging the incident and offering his apology. “Before I start discussing this event, I want to express my feelings... What happened in Sindhudurg a few days ago—Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name for me and my friends. For us, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a Maharaja; for us, he is revered. Today, I bow down before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and seek apology,” PM Modi said.
In a veiled critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi remarked, “Our values are different; we are not those who keep abusing Veer Savarkar, disrespect him, crush the sentiments of patriots, and despite all this, they are not ready to apologise but ready to fight battles in court. People of Maharashtra should be aware of their values, who have no regret of insulting such a great son.”
This statement comes in the context of a defamation suit filed against Rahul Gandhi by the kin of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Savarkar. Last year, Satyaki, Savarkar’s grandnephew, lodged a complaint against Gandhi for his remarks against Savarkar.
During the event, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Vadhavan Port in Palghar, which is poised to become India’s largest deep-water port with an investment of over Rs 76,000 crore. He emphasised the port’s significance in Maharashtra’s development and its role in India's broader economic progress.
"Today is a historic day in the development journey of Maharashtra. It is a big day for the development journey of India. Viksit Maharashtra is the most crucial part of Viksit Bharat, and hence, where it is the last 10 years or the third term of my government, big decisions have been taken for Maharashtra,” Modi stated.
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Vadhavan Port To Enhance India's Connectivity With Central Asia And Russia
The Vadhavan port, strategically located in Palghar, will enhance India's connectivity with Central Asia and Russia, boosting trade through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The port is expected to ease the burden on Jawaharlal Nehru Port and contribute over one per cent to Maharashtra's GDP.
"This will be India's biggest container port; in fact, this will be one of the deepest ports in the world," the Prime Minister added.
Modi also pointed out that the development of India's coastline has gained unprecedented momentum in the last decade, with increased investments in modernising ports and developing waterways. "Private investment has also increased... our youth are getting its benefits, they are getting new opportunities. Today the whole world is looking at Vadhvan port... this will change the economic picture of this entire region," he remarked.
The Vadhavan Port, envisioned as a green port, is set to be operational by 2030 and will handle 23.2 million TEUs by the end of its second phase. The project is anticipated to generate around 12 lakh direct jobs and over one crore indirect jobs, contributing significantly to the economic and social development of coastal communities in Maharashtra.