Deoghar (Jharkhand): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the country will progress only when the states are developed, and his government has been guided by this principle over the past eight years.
“With the development of the state the nation will progress. our government is working with this philosophy for the past eight years, ”
Modi said, after laying the foundation or inaugurating a slew of projects including the Deogrhar airport at a programme here in Jharkhand’s Deoghar District
The schemes worth more than Rs 16,800 crore were related to air, road and rail connectivity, clean energy, health, etc. in Jharkhand, he said.
He said with the investment in infrastructure, new avenues of development, employment and self-employment are being generated.
The Prime Minister said that the result of the efforts of the government are being seen across the nation. Over the last 5-6 years, 70 new places have been linked via airports, heliports and water aerodromes and in 400 new routes, common people are now getting the option of air travel.
Under the UDAAN Yojana, more than one crore people have travelled in flights, he said adding that people from the poor and middle classes have now learnt how to tie their ‘seat belts’.
Modi said the centre is also focussing on the development of places related to faith and spirituality, apart from connectivity. At the Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar also modern facilities have been installed under the Prasad Yojana.
“Everyone gets happy after coming to Baba Dham and today we all have been fortunate to give a boost to the development of Jharkhand from Deoghar.
“With blessings of Baba Baidyanath today foundations have been laid and schemes worth more than Rs 16,000 crore have been inaugurated which will boost connectivity and strengthen healthcare energy tourism sectors.
Over the past eight years, the focus has been on improving highway railway airway and waterway connectivity and the same philosophy has been followed with regard to connecting Jharkhand. He said Jharkhand has also largely benefitted from the gas-based economy as Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Yojana is changing the fortunes of the area.
He said four years ago he had the opportunity to lay the foundation stone for Deoghar Airport and despite the Coronavirus pandemic, the work was completed with great speed, giving Jharkhand its second airport.
“Every year nearly five lakh people will be travelling through the Deoghar Airport and even Bhakts of Baba will benefit from it,” he said.
The Prime Minister iterated that though the schemes were being operated from Jharkhand, many areas of West Bengal and Bihar will also directly benefit from them, thereby accelerating the development of Eastern India.
He said the projects will make life easier and improve connectivity tourism and business opportunities in the state.
Among those present were Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda. (UNI)