Visakhapatnam to Host New SCoR Zone Headquarters, Foundation Stone Laid by PM Modi

PM Modi virtually lays the foundation for a bulk drug park in Nakkapalli and an NTPC green hydrogen project at Pudimadaka. He pledged full support to Andhra Pradesh in realizing Naidu’s ‘Swarnandhra Vision-2047,’ aiming for enhanced industrial growth and sustainability in the state.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amidst a massive gathering of people, virtually laid the foundation stone for the long-anticipated South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone in Visakhapatnam. The event saw the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who joined the PM in celebrating the landmark moment for the state’s railway infrastructure.

The establishment of the SCoR Zone is set to significantly boost the region’s economic development, improve connectivity, and create job opportunities. This project aligns with the government’s broader goal to enhance the country’s railway infrastructure and spur growth in southern India. The new railway zone will not only strengthen the existing transportation network but also contribute to the development of industries in the region, especially in sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and trade.

During the event, PM Modi emphasized the importance of such infrastructural developments in transforming Andhra Pradesh into a key hub of economic activity, linking it to the broader national vision for a more connected and prosperous India. The project is also expected to improve freight transportation and passenger services, ensuring better connectivity to the neighboring states and ports, thus facilitating smoother trade and travel.

The virtual foundation-laying ceremony marks a crucial step in realizing the vision of ‘Swarnandhra Vision-2047,’ a comprehensive roadmap set by the state leadership for Andhra Pradesh’s progress. PM Modi’s participation in the event underscored his commitment to support Andhra Pradesh in achieving its goals of infrastructure modernization and economic growth.

In his first visit to Visakhapatnam after the 2024 elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his speech in Telugu, much to the delight of the large crowd gathered at the Andhra University College of Engineering (AUCE) grounds.

The PM expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Visakhapatnam, saying, “Meeru naapai chupisthunna premaki, abhimananiki kruthagyatalu. Naa abhimanam choopinchukune samayam ippudu naaku vachhindi,” which translates to, “I express my heartfelt thankfulness for the love and affection you have showered on me. The time has come for me to repay my gratitude to you all.” His words were met with thunderous applause, reflecting the warm reception he received from the people of the city.

This visit marked a significant moment for the Prime Minister, who emphasized his commitment to the region’s progress and further deepened his connection with the local populace through his heartfelt words in their native language.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone for the much-awaited South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone and virtually launched several key projects worth over ₹2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh. These included the NTPC green hydrogen project at Pudimadaka and the bulk drug park at Nakkapalli.

In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the long-standing dream of the people of Visakhapatnam to have their own railway zone. He also celebrated the state’s achievements, stating, “Andhra Pradesh has already achieved 100% rail electrification. Over 70 railway stations in the State have been chosen for development under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.”

Describing Visakhapatnam as the gateway to Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Modi noted the city’s historical significance as a hub for maritime trade. He stressed that the projects launched on Wednesday would play a crucial role in transforming the state’s economy and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of Visakhapatnam’s selection as one of the few cities chosen by NTPC for the establishment of a green hydrogen hub. He emphasized that this initiative would not only generate large-scale employment but also contribute significantly to the growth of a manufacturing ecosystem in the region. Additionally, the Bulk Drug Park at Nakkapalli, near Visakhapatnam, was one of three such projects in India, aimed at fostering research and manufacturing in the pharmaceutical sector.

In his address, the Prime Minister referred to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s ambitious Swarnandhra Vision-2047 document and assured full support for realizing Naidu’s vision to transform Andhra Pradesh.

Further, Mr. Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for an industrial hub at Krishnapatnam near Tirupati, along with several road expansion and rail line projects that would boost connectivity and infrastructure development in the state.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several completed projects that will significantly enhance infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. These included the Chilakaluripet six-lane bypass road, which will improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion; the Bowdara-Vizianagaram two-lane road expansion, aimed at facilitating smoother travel between key locations; and the Vijayawada-Gudivada-Bhimavaram-Narasapuram rail line, which will boost rail connectivity and support economic growth in the region. These projects are expected to further enhance transportation and contribute to the state’s development.

Naidu hails PM’s vision

During his address, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proactive vision for the development of Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Naidu highlighted the Prime Minister’s support in addressing key issues, such as his approval for the provision of raw materials to the proposed Arcelor Mittal plant in Anakapalli and his innovative suggestion to use a slurry pipeline to reduce transportation costs.

Mr. Naidu also shared an example of how Mr. Modi responded swiftly to a concern regarding Google’s interest in setting up a base in Visakhapatnam. When the company expressed fears about potential increases in taxation, the Prime Minister assured that there would be no changes to the taxation policy, ensuring a favorable environment for businesses like Google to enter the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and IT Minister Nara Lokesh also took the stage, commending Prime Minister Modi for his contributions to both the state and the nation’s growth, emphasizing how his leadership has earned him immense respect and admiration from the people of Andhra Pradesh.

Courtesy: Narendra Modi

References


Mukesh Singh Profile He is an IITian, Electronics & Telecom Engineer and MBA in TQM with more than 15 years wide experience in Education sector, Quality Assurance & Software development . He is TQM expert and worked for numbers of Schools ,College and Universities to implement TQM in education sectors He is an author of “TQM in Practice” and member of “Quality circle forum of India”, Indian Institute of Quality, New Delhi & World Quality Congress . His thesis on TQM was published during world quality congress 2003 and he is also faculty member of Quality Institute of India ,New Delhi He is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt from CII. He worked in Raymond Ltd from 1999-2001 and joined Innodata Software Ltd in 2001 as a QA Engineer. He worked with the Dow Chemical Company (US MNC) for implementation of Quality Systems and Process Improvement for Software Industries & Automotive Industries. He worked with leading certification body like ICS, SGS, DNV,TUV & BVQI for Systems Certification & Consultancy and audited & consulted more than 1000 reputed organization for (ISO 9001/14001/18001/22000/TS16949,ISO 22001 & ISO 27001) and helped the supplier base of OEM's for improving the product quality, IT security and achieving customer satisfaction through implementation of effective systems. Faculty with his wide experience with more than 500 Industries (Like TCS, Indian Railways, ONGC, BPCL, HPCL, BSE( Gr Floor BOI Shareholdings), UTI, ONGC, Lexcite.com Ltd, eximkey.com, Penta Computing, Selectron Process Control, Mass-Tech, United Software Inc, Indrajit System, Reymount Commodities, PC Ware, ACI Laptop ,Elle Electricals, DAV Institutions etc), has helped the industry in implementing ISMS Risk Analysis, Asset Classification, BCP Planning, ISMS Implementation FMEA, Process Control using Statistical Techniques and Problem Solving approach making process improvements in various assignments. He has traveled to 25 countries around the world including US, Europe and worldwide regularly for corporate training and business purposes.
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