Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the poll-bound state Tamil Nadu and inaugurated several key development projects to mark another step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. PM visited Chennai and keeping the motto of self-reliant India, handed over the indigenously developed Arjun Main Battle Tank (Mark 1A) tanks to Army Chief General MM Naravane in Chennai.
PM Modi accepted a salute by the state-of-the-art tank, indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment in Chennai, reported news agency PTI.
List of Projects inaugurated by PM Modi
Railway line: PM inaugurated the fourth Railway line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu. This 22.1 km section, laid at a cost of Rs.293.40 crore, traverses through Chennai and Thiruvallur Districts and will ease out traffic from Chennai Port. This section connects the Chennai Port and Ennore Port and passes through major yards, providing operational flexibility for the movement of trains.
Railway electrification: Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Railway Electrification of single line section in Villupuram - Cuddalore - Mayiladuthurai - Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur. Completed at a cost of Rs 423 crore, the electrification of this 228 km route will enable free flow of traffic without the need for a change of traction between Chennai Egmore and Kanyakumari and would result in saving of Rs.14.61 lakh per day on fuel cost.
Grand Anicut canal system: PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation, and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System. The canal is important for irrigation in the delta districts. The modernization of this canal will be taken up at a cost of Rs 2,640 crore, and will lead to an improvement in the water carrying capacity of the canals.
IIT Madras: Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras. The Campus will be built at Thaiyur near Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore in the first phase, over an area of 2 lakh sqm.
PM pays tribute to Pulwama martyrs
After inaugurating the key projects in Chennai PM Modi addressed the crowd and thanked them for the energetic welcome. PM also paid tribute to the Pulwama martyrs on the 2nd anniversary of the terror attack and said,"No Indian can forget this day. Two years ago, the Pulwama attack happened. We pay homage to all the martyrs we lost in that attack. We are proud of our security forces. Their bravery will continue to inspire generations."
While handling the Arjun Main Battle tank to the Army, PM said, "Tamil Nadu is already a leading automobile manufacturing hub of India. Now, I see, Tamil Nadu evolving as the tank manufacturing hub of India."