Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently declared that the 21st century unequivocally belongs to India’s 140 crore citizens, envisioning the nation’s transformation into a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by the year 2047.
Highlighting the immense success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, he proudly stated, “we witnessed the power” of domestically produced capabilities during Operation Sindoor. This refers to the decisive military operation launched against cross-border terror launchpads in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
“By 2047, the centenary year of our Independence, Viksit Bharat will be a reality,” the Prime Minister affirmed during his address. His speech followed the inauguration and foundation stone laying for various projects exceeding ₹13,000 crore in value.
“I can confidently say that the 21st century is poised to be India’s century,” Mr. Modi reiterated.
The Prime Minister also praised Andhra Pradesh, noting its visionary leadership under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. He assured the state of the Central government’s full cooperation in its developmental endeavors.
He announced that with Google’s significant AI Hub investment, an international sub-sea gateway will be established, linking various countries’ underwater cable systems to Visakhapatnam on India’s eastern coast.
“Over the last 16 months, Andhra Pradesh has seen rapid development, with unprecedented progress driven by a ‘double-engine government’ approach,” he observed.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Andhra Pradesh is not just a land rich in self-respect and culture, but also a burgeoning hub for science and innovation.
He noted that the numerous projects inaugurated or initiated will significantly boost connectivity, support industrial growth, and profoundly enhance the quality of life for the state’s residents.
Mr. Modi also criticized the previous Congress government, alleging that 11 years ago, the average per capita electricity consumption was below 1,000 units, and the country frequently experienced blackouts, with many villages lacking even basic electricity poles.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi officiated the inauguration and foundation laying for a multitude of projects across Andhra Pradesh, totaling ₹13,430 crore.
These extensive projects span crucial sectors including industry, power transmission, roads, railways, defence manufacturing, and petroleum and natural gas.
He laid the foundation stone for the Transmission System Strengthening at Kurnool-III Pooling Station, an investment exceeding ₹2,880 crore.
Additionally, foundation stones were laid for the Orvakal Industrial Area in Kurnool and the Kopparthy Industrial Area in Kadapa, with a combined investment surpassing ₹4,920 crore.
Developed jointly by the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (APIIC), these modern, multi-sectoral industrial hubs are designed with ‘plug-and-play’ infrastructure and a ‘walk-to-work’ concept.
These new hubs are projected to attract ₹21,000 crore in investments and create approximately one lakh jobs, thereby fortifying industrial growth and global competitiveness within the Rayalaseema region of the southern state.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for a six-lane greenfield highway stretching from Sabbavaram to Sheelanagar, costing over ₹960 crore. Furthermore, he inaugurated the four-laning of the Pileru-Kalur section road, the widening project from the Kadapa – Nellore border to CS Puram, and a four-lane Rail over Bridge (ROB) connecting Gudivada and Nujella Railway Stations on NH-165.
Mr. Modi also launched and inaugurated railway projects valued at over ₹1,200 crore.
He laid the foundation stone for the Kothavalasa-Vizianagaram Fourth Railway Line and the Rail Flyover between Pendurthi and Simhachalam North.
He then inaugurated the doubling of the Kottavalasa-Boddavara section and the Shimiliguda-Gorapur section, significantly enhancing railway infrastructure.
In the energy sector, the Prime Minister inaugurated GAIL India Limited’s Srikakulam-Angul Natural Gas Pipeline, constructed at a cost of around ₹1,730 crore, extending approximately 124 km in Andhra Pradesh and 298 km in Odisha.
He also inaugurated Indian Oil’s 60 TMTPA (Thousand Metric Tonnes per annum) LPG bottling plant in Chittoor, an investment of about ₹200 crore.
Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated the Advanced Night Vision Products Factory at Nimmaluru, Krishna district, established by Bharat Electronics Limited with an investment of approximately ₹360 crore.
These inaugurations and foundation layings took place after the Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam at Srisailam in Nandyal district.
BJP sources confirmed that “PM Modi performed Rudrabhishekam with Panchamuralu (a sacred mixture of five ingredients: cow milk, cow curd, cow ghee, honey, and sugar)” at the revered temple.
Chief Minister Naidu and Pawan Kalyan were present, accompanying him to the shrine.
Later, PM Modi visited Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra, a memorial complex featuring a meditation hall. This hall showcases models of four historic forts—Pratapgad, Rajgad, Raigad, and Shivneri—situated at its corners, with a statue of the legendary king Chhatrapati Shivaji in deep meditation at its center.
Managed by the Sree Shivaji Memorial Committee, the meditation hall was established in the temple town to commemorate Chhatrapati Shivaji’s historic visit to the sacred shrine in 1677.