ECO REFORMS WILL CONTINUE: PM
Monday, 23 October 2017 | Nayan Dave | GHOGHA (BHAVNAGAR)
Inaugurating the “first-of-its-kind project in South-East Asia, the roll-on, roll-off" (Ro-Ro) ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that the process of taking “important decisions” regarding the economic reforms will continue. He said the fundamentals of Indian economy is strong and on the right track.
The forex reserves of the nation has gone up from $30,000 crore to $40,000 crore despite bold initiatives, it indicates the economy is on the right track, Modi said in context of his Government’s two initiatives — demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST). The PM’s assertion came at a time when the Opposition parties have been attacking the Government over the note ban and the GST.
“GST has made transportation seamless. It is helping save ‘thousands of crores’. Now trucks need not stop at tax booths. As a result, trucks are reaching destinations earlier and fuel cost have come down’,’ said Modi after travelling across the Gulf of Cambay on the ferry boat from Ghogha to Dahej, along with physically challenged children.
He struck the chord with the people by saying he came to Gujarat to personally convey New Year greetings and to dedicate a vital ferry service project not only for Gujarat but for the nation also. Terming the Ro-Ro ferry service — which would reduce travel time between Ghogha in Bhavnagar and Dahej in Bharuch district from eight hours to less than two hours — as his dream project, Modi said he heard the project when he was studying in school but it has now been implemented under the BJP Government.
The ferry service would now reduce the travel distance between Saurashtra and South Gujarat from 360 km to 31 km, saving five hours in travel time and money for people frequently travelling between these two regions. The ferry can take up to 250 passengers. In subsequent phases, ferries would also be able to transport cars and trucks across the Gulf.
Citing ancient civilisation site Lothal near Ahmedabad, which is one of the major ports in western India, Modi said the history of human civilisation illustrates the vitality of rivers and maritime trade. Gujarat is the land of Lothal and how could we forget our history. The PM added that the inauguration of ferry service is to bring back to life our glorious past.
Previous Governments had tried to stall several development projects in Gujarat but ever since BJP led NDA Government came into power, obstacles for the growth of the State removed, said Modi, adding, ‘’When I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, we faced hostility from the then Congress led UPA Government. Many important projects in the state stalled.’’
He claimed that the Ghogha-Dahej ferry service project was conceived way back in 1960 but foundation stone for the project was laid in 2012 when he was Gujarat Chief Minister.
The PM indicated to extend the ferry service up to Hazira port near Surat. He also stated that a similar project across Gulf of Kutch would be started. Modi stressed on developing infrastructure for sea transportation in other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, addressing a public rally at Navalakhi Ground in Vadodara Modi once again raised issue of Gujarat pride reminding injustice done to Sardar Patel and Morarji Desai by the Congress party. He also reminded people about benefit of having same party at Centre as well as State. Modi trained his guns on Congress party over corruption charges in series of scams including coal, submarine, helicopter, 2G among others during the tenure of UPA Government.
‘’Congress leaders are criticising Election Commission for not announcing election dates for Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat simultaneously. They have problems on my visit to Gujarat. The same people were praising EC when recounting orders for the Rajya Sabha polls were given in their favour,’’ he said in context to dramatic victory of Ahmed Patel in Rajya Sabha polls.
The Congress has no moral right to question the Constitutional body, Modi said addressing a gathering here.
Later in the evening thousands of people throng to see a glimpse of Modi on enroute a 14-km long road-show from Navlakhi Ground to Vadodara airport. During a daylong visit to his poll bound home-state Modi dedicated development works worth Rs. 3600 crore.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/eco-reforms-will-continue-pm.html
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