Amid euphoria over the Eknath Shinde-led “Mahayuti” coming up trumps in MLAs’ disqualification litmus test, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off a campaign for the BJP and its allies for the Lok Sabha polls, by launching, commissioning and dedicating various projects worth Rs 30,500 crore in Maharashtra on Friday.
In a consolidation of a festive mood prevailing in the state over the impending consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol at the grand temple in Ayodhya and its victory over its political opponents in Maharashtra, the ruling BJP is going all out to cash in on Modi’s visit to the state for launching, commissioning and dedicating various projects worth more than Rs 30,500 crore.
In what is being seen as the launch of the Lok Sabha poll campaign for the BJP and its allies – the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar), the Prime Minister will use his visit to reach out to the people across the state and galvanise the party workers ahead of the crucial elections.
On his part, Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has already gone to town, expressing confidence about winning 45 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra, a state that has the maximum Lok Sabha seats after Uttar Pradesh where there are 80 LS seats.
In a major event that will take place in Mumbai, Modi will commission the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), now named ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’ which has been inaugurated at a cost of Rs 17,840 crore.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore in the public programme in Navi Mumbai.
Modi will lay the foundation stone of the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway’s Orange Gate to Marine Drive. Being built at a cost of Rs 8700 crore, the 9.2 Km tunnel – when completed -- will be a significant infrastructure development in Mumbai which will reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.
The Prime Minister will dedicate Phase-I of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project to the Nation. The project, developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,975 crore will provide drinking water supply to the Palghar and Thane district of Maharashtra, benefiting a population of 14 lakh.
Modi will dedicate about Rs 2000 crore railway projects to the Nation. These include the dedication of ‘Phase 2 of Uran-Kharkopar railway line’ which will enhance connectivity to Navi Mumbai as suburban services running between Nerul/Belapur to Kharkopar will now be extended to Uran. The Prime Minister will also flag off the inaugural run of the EMU train from Uran railway station to Kharkopar.
Other rail projects that the Prime Minister wil dedicate to the nation will include a new suburban station ‘Digha Gaon’ on the Thane-Vashi/Panvel Trans-harbour line and the new 6th Line between Khar Road and Goregaon railway stations. The projects will benefit the thousands of daily commuters in Mumbai.
Modi will inaugurate ‘Bharat Ratnam’ (Mega Common Facilitation Centre) for Gems and Jewellery sector at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ SEZ), which is first of its kind in India with best available machines, in world including 3D Metal printing.
‘Bharat Ratnam’ will house a training school for skilling of workforce for this sector including specially abled students. The Mega CFC will transform the export sector in Gems and Jewellery trade and will help the domestic manufacturing also.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the New Enterprises & Services Tower (NEST)- 01 at SEEPZ- SEZ. The NEST - 01 is primarily for Gem & Jewellery sector units which will be relocated from existing Standard Design Factory - I. The new tower has been designed for large scale production and as per the demand of the industry.
Modi will also launch Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan. The Abhiyaan aims to empower women in the state of Maharashtra by providing skill development training and exposure to entrepreneurship development. The Abhiyaan is aimed at the convergence and saturation of women development programmes of the state and central governments.
Meanewhile, setting the tone for the much-discussed consecration of the idol of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kalaram temple located on the banks of Godavari river in the pilgrimage town of Nashik on Friday.
The Kalaram temple is in Panchvati area of Nashik. The Kalaram temple derives its name from a black statue of Lord and its sanctum sanctorum also houses the idols of Sita Mata and Lakshman. It is believed that Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman had stayed in the Panchvati area during their exile.
Modi will also inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival (NYF) at Nashik. The NYM has been organised in the pilgrimage town of Nashik, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.