Governor of Tamil NaduShri Bhanwarilal Purohit Ji, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Shri Palaniswami Ji, Deputy Chief Minister, Shri OPS, My colleague,Pralhad Joshi Ji,Minister in the Tamil Nadu Government, Shri Velumani Ji Dignitaries, Ladies and Gentlemen.

 Governor of Tamil NaduShri Bhanwarilal Purohit Ji, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Shri Palaniswami Ji, Deputy Chief Minister, Shri OPS, My colleague,Pralhad Joshi Ji,Minister in the Tamil Nadu Government, Shri Velumani Ji Dignitaries, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Vanakkam.

I am happy to be here in Coimbatore. This is a city of industry and innovation. Today we beginmany development worksthat will benefit Coimbatore and the entire Tamil Nadu.

Friends,

The foundation stone to modernise the Bhavanisagar damis being laid. This will irrigateover two lakh acres of land. The districts of Erode, Tiruppur and Karurwill especially benefitfrom this project. This project will be ofgreat benefit for our farmers. I am reminded of the wordsof the great Thiruvalluvar. He said;

உழுதுண்டு வாழ்வாரே வாழ்வார்மற் றெல்லாம்

தொழுதுண்டு பின்செல் பவர்.

It means, ‘the farmers are the one who truly live and all others livebecause of them;worshiping them’.

Friends,

Tamil Nadu is making a major contribution to India’s industrial growth. One of the basic needsfor industry to grow is continuous power supply.Today, I am happy to dedicate to the nation two major power projectsand lay the foundation forone more power project. The 709megawatt solar power project is developed by Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar Districts.The cost of this project is over three thousand crore Rupees. Another 1000 megawattthermal power project of NLC,constructed at a total cost of almost Seven Thousand Eight hundred crore rupees will be of great benefit to Tamil Nadu. Oversixty-five percent of power generated in this project will be given to Tamil Nadu.

Friends,

Tamil Nadu has a glorious history of sea trade and port led development.I am happy to launch various projects related to V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Thoothukudi. We recall the efforts of the great freedom fighter V-O-C. His vision for a vibrant Indian shipping industryand maritime developmentinspires us greatly.The projects launched today will further strengthen the cargo handling ability of the port.It will even supportthe green port initiative.Apart from this, we will take further steps to make the Port into a big trans-shipmentport in the east coast. When our ports are more efficient, it contributes to India being Aatmanirbhar and a global hub for trade as well as logistics.

The Government of India’s commitmentto port-led developmentcan be seen throughthe Sagarmala Scheme. About 575 projectsat a total cost of oversix lakh crore rupees have been identified for implementation during 2015-2035 period.These works cover:Port modernization,New port development,Port connectivity enhancement,Port-linked industrialisation and Coastal community development.

I am also happy to note that a new Multi-Modal Logistics Parkis going to be launched soon at Mappedu near Sriperumbudur in Chennai. The ‘8-laning of Korampallam Bridge and Rail Over Bridge’was also taken upunder ‘Sagarmala programme’. The Project will facilitate seamless and congestion free transit to and from the Port.It will also further reducethe turn around timeof the cargo trucks.

Friends,

Development and care for the environment are closely linked. V-O-C port has already installed 500 kilowatt roof top solar power plant. Installation of another 140kilowatt roof top solar projectis in progress. It makes me happy that V-O-C Port has taken up the grid connected 5 megawattground-based solar power plant at a cost of almost twenty crore rupees. This project will help meet 60 percent of the total energy consumptionof the Port.This is truly an example of Urja Aatmanirbharta.

Dear Friends,

At the core of development is ensuring dignity to every individual.One of the ways of ensuring dignity is to provide shelter for everyone.To give wings to the dreams and aspirations of our people, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojnawas started.

Friends,

It is my privilege to inaugurate Four Thousand One Hundred and Forty Four tenements. They are built in Tiruppur, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli Districts.The cost of this project is 332 crores rupees.These houseswill be handed over to those who never had a roof over their head after 70 long years of independence.

Friends,

Tamil Nadu is a heavily urbanized state. The Government of India and Government of Tamil Naduare committed to all-round growth of the cities. I am happy to lay foundation stone for Integrated Command and Control Centres in smart cities across Tamil Nadu. This will provide an intelligent and integrated IT solutionsto manage various servicesacross these cities.

Friends,

I am sure that the projects launched today will give a big boostto the lives and livelihood of the people of Tamil Nadu.Best wishes to all the familieswho are gettingtheir new homes today.We will keep working to fulfil the dreams of the people and build an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.