Chennai (Metro Rail News): Prime Narendra Modi Modi today inaugurated Rs 3,770 crore Washermenpet-Wimco Nagar stretch of Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I Extension during his Chennai, Tamil Nadu visit along with several other infrastructure projects. This project has been supported by Japanese ODA Loan.
He has inaugurated this section from Jawahar Lal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai in presence of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, and other officials from state and central government including Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
“I am happy that we have inaugurated the 9 km stretch of the Chennai Phase 1 project. Chennai Metro is growing rapidly and helping us in realizing our Aatma Nirbhar Bharat dream. The budget for Metro is one of the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one go. The project will boost ‘Ease Of Living’ for Chennai & Tamil Nadu,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shri Pradeep Yadav, Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety had completed the 3-days safety inspection of Washermenpet-Wimco Nagar stretch on 8th February 2021 and given his node to open the stretch for the commercial run of metro services.
The 9.051 km long Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar section of Phase I extension has seven Metro Stations (2 Underground and 5 Elevated Metro Stations). This 9.05 km long Washermenpet-Wimco Nagar stretch will connect North Chennai with the airport and Central Railway Station. The AFC system developed and manufactured by Nippon Signal Co., Ltd. is used in this project. Japan has been supporting the Chennai Metro Rail Project through Japanese ODA Loan since 2008, and, currently, is supporting its Phase 2 project (Line 3: 36km / 40 stations, Line 5: 16km / 18 stations).
“the country’s armed forces had shown time and again that they were fully capable of protecting “our motherland.” The prime minister also handed over the homemade Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Indian Army. The tank is manufactured by DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment. Fifteen academic institutions, eight labs, and several MSMEs were also involved in the project” he added further.
PM Modi also hailed the framers of Chennai for record food grain production. “I want to appreciate the farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production and good use of water resources. We have to do whatever we can do to conserve water. Always remember the mantra of ‘Per drop, more crop,” he stated.
After Chennai visit, PM Modi will also inaugurate a slew of projects in Kochi. He will dedicate to nation the Bharat Petroleum’s Propylene Derivatives Petrochemical Complex at Kochi Refinery and Inland Waterways Authority’s Roll-on/Roll-off vessels.
PM Modi will also inaugurate Cochin Port Trust’s International Cruise Terminal, Cochin Shipyard’s Vigyana Sagar, and campus for Marine Engineering Training Institute. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Mansukh L Mandaviya will also attend the event.
Infrastructure Projects in Kerala will boost tourism
In his speech at the foundation stone laying and inauguration ceremony, he mentions how the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged people to travel to nearby places hence giving a push to local tourism. He urges young startups to look into innovative products that will boost local tourism. He also said the government is undertaking several steps to boost the tourism sector, the international cruise terminal being an example.
The country is prioritizing the ‘blue economy’ and the vision of the government is to improve improving infrastructure, sustainable coastal development, coastal connectivity.
“Better connectivity means more commerce and convenience; It will further reduce congestion and pollution”, said the PM.
