Ahead of the state assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated various key projects in Tamil Nadu.
Extending a hearty welcome to PM Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami thanked the Prime Minister for announcing new national highway projects in the 2020-2021 budget.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam were also present there.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister Thiru O Panneerselvam facilitate Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium#Chennai #PMModi pic.twitter.com/4X8lY4G2H3
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During an event, Prime Minister handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to Army Chief General MM Narvane in Chennai.
The tank has been indigenously designed, developed, and made by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, attached to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with 15 academic institutions, 8 labs, and several MSMEs, according to a release by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension project, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 3,770 crores.
The 9.05 km long extension will link north Chennai with the Airport and Central Railway Station. He also inaugurated the fourth Railway line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu. This 22.1 km section, laid at a cost of Rs 293.40 crores, traverses through Chennai and Thiruvallur districts.
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He also laid the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras on Sunday.
The campus will be built at Thaiyur near the capital at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crores in the first phase, over an area of 2 lakh square metres.
PM Modi lays the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras. The Campus will be built at Thaiyur near Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs 1000 crores in the first phase, over an area of 2 lakh sqm#PMModi #Chennai pic.twitter.com/bE5T25REv3
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He lauded the farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production and advised them to remember the mantra of “per drop more crop” stating that this will help future generations.
Speaking after the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony, the Prime Minister said, “I want to appreciate farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production and good use of water resources. For thousands of years, this Anicut canal has been a lifeline to the rice bowl. The Grand Anicut is a living testimony of our glorious past. From Chennai today we begin key infrastructure projects which are symbols of innovation and indigenous development. These projects will further the growth of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
“This programme is special because we lay the foundation to modernize 636 kilometres long Anicut canal. The impact is going to be very good. It will improve irrigation facilities for 2.27 lakh acres of land. Districts of Tanjore and Pudhukottai will get the benefit,” he added.
Prime Minister also spoke about the Pulwama attack and paid homage to all the martyrs. “No Indian can forget this day. Two years ago, the Pulwama attack happened. We pay homage to all the martyrs we lost in that attack. We are proud of our security forces. Their bravery will continue to inspire generations,” said the PM.
“No Indian can forget this day. Two years ago, the Pulwama attack happened. We pay homage to all the martyrs we lost in that attack. We are proud of our security forces. Their bravery will continue to inspire generations,” says #PMModi #Chennai pic.twitter.com/QAJU4aAIqb
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) February 14, 2021
(With ANI inputs)