14:03 (IST)
I still recall how tough it was for people of Bet Dwarka. Lack of infrastructure meant transportation was tough, people faced difficulties if an emergency came up. We wanted to change this with a push on infrastructure: PM @narendramodipic.twitter.com/bE57rpOHd6
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 7, 2017
13:58 (IST)
Earlier, UPA govt was indifferent towards Gujarat: Modi
"There were lots of possibilities of development in the tourism sector here, but earlier the UPA government had an indifferent attitude towards Gujarat because of the BJP government in the state... I clearly remember," Modi said at a public gathering. — PTI
13:50 (IST)
Modi to lay foundation stone for greenfield airport in Rajkot
The prime minister will now go to Hirasar in Rajkot where he will lay the foundation stone for a greenfield airport.
13:43 (IST)
Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his friend Hari Bhai while leaving from Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka pic.twitter.com/we5ChhyIvr
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2017
13:20 (IST)
Marine policing is a sector we are looking at very closely. We are modernising marine security apparatus: PM Modi in Dwarka pic.twitter.com/6hZPLfyshR
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid the foundation for a bridge between Okha and Bet Dwarka, after he arrived in Gujarat for a two-day visit and offered prayers at the famous Dwarkadhish temple.
After visiting the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, the prime minister came out and waved at people waiting outside to greet him. He also shook hands with some of them.
"Today, there is a mood of enthusiasm and hope in Dwarka," said the prime minister as he addressed the people at a rally in Dwarka.
File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI
Modi then said that no other government had done as much for Dwarka. "The people of Bet had to finish all their work before sunset earlier. If someone suddenly fell ill, the people of Bet know how difficult it was to get medical care to that person," he said.
"People come to Dwarka with God's grace. But people will stay in Dwarka only if we bring about development," said Modi, adding that the situation in Dwarka eight to ten years ago was poor.
"Tourism needs connectivity...Dwarka bridge will be a landmark in the tourism sector," he said.
The prime minister also talked about the need to develop the coastal areas of Gujarat.
"Gujarat has a coastline of 1,600 km. Blue economy's posssibilies lie on our coastlines," he said.
"Today, our fisherman who has small boats, cannot go beyond 10 to 12 nautical miles. He has to work for hours to get fish. We need to empower our fishermen. In a new scheme, the government will them loans with low interest," he added.
"For the security of coastal areas, India is working to make marine policing advanced. The first marine police training and research institute will be established in Dwarka," he said.
The prime minister also praised the decisions taken by the GST Council meeting on Friday.
"When we took important decisions for GST, Diwali came earlier. The entire country has welcomed this decision," he said.
Modi is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat. He will lay foundation stones and inaugurate a number of projects. He is also scheduled to visit his birthplace Vadnagar for the first time after becoming prime minister.
Other projects for which foundation stones will be laid include the four-laning of 116.24 km of the Porbandar-Dwarka section of NH-51 and the four-laning of 93.56 km of the Gadu-Porbandar section of NH-51.
From Dwarka, Modi will go to Hirasar in Rajkot district where he will lay the foundation stone for a greenfield airport, 20 km from Rajkot city.
Last month, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had started his Gujarat political campaign by visiting Dwarkadhish temple.
During his three-day campaign tour across Saurashtra region of the state, Gandhi had visited four other famous temples.
With inputs from agencies
Published Date: Oct 07, 2017 01:58 pm | Updated Date: Oct 07, 2017 02:03 pm
