Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 2,700 crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth over Rs 2,700 crore in the Union Territory of Puducherry and reiterated his commitment to continue working towards making "Best Puducherry" a reality.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Narendra Modi said the Union Territory is consistently moving towards its vision of "Best Puducherry" by focusing on business, education, spirituality, and tourism. He expressed happiness at being able to reach out to the people of Puducherry. He said the projects being inaugurated today would help make the lives of the people of the state easier and accelerate economic development in the region. He said, "Over the last four and a half years, the journey of better governance and development has been undertaken under this vision, which is reflected in the increase in per capita income and one of the highest social progress index scores in the country."

On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated several key projects, including the launch of e-buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa initiative, an Integrated Command and Control Centre under the Smart City Mission, housing units for economically weaker sections under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and the government of Puducherry's major sewage and water supply projects.

These projects have been initiated to improve urban mobility, strengthen urban infrastructure, and ensure better service delivery through technology-based governance. To promote higher education and research, Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated the Composite Engineering Block, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Block, and Ganga Hostel at the National Institute of Technology, Karaikal. He also inaugurated new annexure buildings, lecture halls, and hostels at the Pondicherry University.

The Prime Minister highlighted the development of infrastructure across the country, citing the record allocation of Rs 12 lakh crore in this year's budget. Mr. Narendra Modi said, "Puducherry has also been included under the scheme for special assistance to states for investment, which was earlier limited to only full states; this will make more funds available for essential infrastructure such as roads, water supply, schools, hospitals, and many other projects."

The Prime Minister said, "A strong and empowered youth is the foundation of our country's development. We are working to support their aspirations. The new Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Engineering Block and modern hostel at NIT Karaikal will provide facilities for students to acquire technical education. The upgradation of infrastructure at Pondicherry University will create a better learning environment and research opportunities." He also congratulated the young people who have joined the government after recruitment to thousands of vacant posts.

He said the world is now focusing on clean and green modes of transport, and electric vehicles are becoming an essential part of daily life. He said electric buses provided under the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Service in tourist destinations like Puducherry can bring revolutionary changes in reducing pollution. Furthermore, the Prime Minister mentioned the ongoing projects worth hundreds of crores of rupees in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, as well as housing projects aimed at providing stability and dignity to families. These measures include a water desalination plant to ensure the supply of clean drinking water, a new sewage treatment plant to improve waste management, and ongoing projects to reduce flooding and waterlogging during the monsoon.

The Prime Minister said, "All our efforts are dedicated to making the lives of the people of Puducherry easier."

The Prime Minister said healthcare and medical infrastructure have also received significant attention. Mr. Modi inaugurated the modernization of the Regional Cancer Centre at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) and laid the foundation stone for three important medical blocks under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

The Prime Minister said no country can develop unless its human capital is healthy, so healthcare is the top priority of the government. He expressed confidence that healthcare should be accessible, available, and affordable for all. This is the dream that the Ayushman Bharat scheme is already fulfilling for lakhs of families. He said no citizen of Puducherry should be forced to travel far for treatment. He said the region already has nine medical colleges and has the potential to become a hub for medical tourism. To further enhance healthcare capabilities, the Regional Cancer Centre at JIPMER is being modernized, and three important medical care blocks are being established under PM-ABHIM in Puducherry and Karaikal. Additionally, a new integrated Ayushman Hospital in Karaikal will further strengthen the region's reputation for holistic medicine and healthcare.

The Prime Minister dedicated the 750-acre Karasur-Sedarapet Industrial Estate to the nation under the historic initiative for industrial development. This complex will have a pharma park, a textile park, an Information Technology (IT) park, the latest Research and Development centre of IIT Madras, and JIPMER's modern healthcare facilities, making the region a hub for manufacturing, innovation, and job creation. He also laid the foundation stone for several infrastructure projects, including a water supply scheme to ensure clean and safe drinking water, the construction of 41 rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and power sector projects under the revised Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

The Prime Minister, referring to rural and urban infrastructure, said connectivity is the backbone of development. He explained that hundreds of kilometers of rural roads are being built to facilitate students, farmers, and small businesses. He said, "In Puducherry city, an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore is being made to reduce congestion, including a bridge being built at a cost of Rs 440 crore." He added that connectivity to Chennai via the East Coast and Grand South Trunk Road is also being improved, reducing travel time by two hours. Mr. Narendra Modi said, "The East Coast corridor has seen an investment of over Rs 30,000 crore in Kanyakumari, which will help connect Puducherry to major economic centers like Bangalore and Coimbatore, giving a significant boost to tourism, trade, and industry."

The authorities said the comprehensive package of projects reflects the government's integrated efforts to strengthen infrastructure, urban services, industrial development, education, healthcare, and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister, terming tourism as Puducherry's greatest strength, said thousands of tourists already visit the place. He attributed this success to the hospitable nature of the local people, saying trains and flights to this region are always full. Mr. Narendra Modi said, "The government is taking targeted investments in spiritual, eco, and medical tourism, including the development of pilgrimage facilities at various temples under the PRASHAD scheme." The Prime Minister expressed happiness at the launch of the World Spiritual Festival in Auroville today. He emphasized that such events bring people from different regions and faiths together.

The Prime Minister said Puducherry has been an integral part of India's freedom struggle. It has been the birthplace or workplace of many great leaders. He noted that this land played a significant role in India's independence in 1947. He stressed the mission to build a developed Puducherry and a developed India by 2047 and assured that the double-engine government is committed to this goal. The Prime Minister said, "We will continue to work towards making Best Puducherry a reality."