While unveiling projects worth over Rs 10,500 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that it will provide a fillip to the development of Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam even as Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy took the opportunity to urge him to grant special category status to the state and funds for Polavaram dam to soothe the wound inflicted by its bifurcation.
The Prime Minister on a two-day trip to Vizag laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple projects. He remarked on the port city’s importance in the past and in today’s age.
“Visakhapatnam is India’s special patnam (city). This city is very special. It has always been a traditional trade hub. Visakhapatnam was an important port in ancient India. Trade with West Asia and Rome was carried out through this port in those days. Even today it is the centre of India’s trade and commerce. The projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore which were dedicated to the nation or the foundation stones laid today would fulfil the aspirations of Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam,” said the Prime Minister.
He added that the people of Andhra Pradesh had made significant contributions in every field including education, entrepreneurship, technology, medical profession also appreciated their outgoing and jovial nature and added that today’s unveiled projects will further expedite the pace of development of the state.
However, YSRCP leaders claimed that the Prime Minister’s praise for Vizag was an endorsement for the chief minister’s three-capital plan under which Vizag would be the state’s executive capital. The state BJP has been supporting the cause of Amaravati. However, Modi did not mention the three-capital plan of the state government nor did he talk of the promises made during bifurcation. Instead he dwelled on how at a difficult time “India became the centre of hope for the entire world,” and the government’s focus on the blue economy.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy used the opportunity to make a moving appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant Special category status and funds for the Polavaram project.
He said his relationship with the Centre, especially with Narendra Modi, was “beyond politics and in the sole interest of the welfare of Andhra Pradesh.” He appealed to Modi to consider the pending issues which would soothe the terrible pain of bifurcation which was inflicted eight years ago.
“Every help and initiative you provide as grants, institutions or any aid will help in reshaping our state. Every financial aid will strengthen the rebuilding efforts of our government and will be a balm for the eight year old wound,” said the chief minister in an emotional appeal.
He said every rupee from the revenue or from the Centre was being used for the welfare of the people. Reddy urged the Prime Minister to consider other pending issues such as Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, railway zone apart from Special category status and Polavaram dam.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of Vizag railway station at Rs450 crore, modernisation of the fishing harbour for Rs 150 cr, the six lane corridor between Raipur and Visakhapatnam at Rs3750 cr and a GAIL pipeline in Srikakulam-Angul for Rs 2650 crore . He dedicated to the nation the U field Onshore Deepwater block project of ONGC in AP built for Rs 2900 crore and a section of NH 326A built at the cost of Rs 200 crore. Railway minister Ashwinin Vaishnaw promised to grant the semi-high speed Vande Bharat express for AP.