Page 35 - NIS English December1-15

MAJOR INITIATIVES
finished goods. The business will grow
l This will open new avenues for utilisation of with the decrease in distance between
waterways and will promote socio-economic both the regions
development in the surrounding areas l Saurashtra's beach trade will benefit
l This facility also serves to transport unmanned from Surat and metros like Mumbai. It will
vehicles. With this, the journey of 370 generate new employment opportunities
kilometers which used to take 10-12 hours will l More than 5,000 vehicles ply between
now be covered within four hours. South Gujarat and Saurashtra every
l This will reduce the logistics cost of the sea- day to connect these two regions. This
borne trade, industry, re-rolling mills, cement, connectivity will now be via sea rather than
iron, food processing and trade of raw and roads

of the sea will provide the necessary
boost to strengthen the Blue Economy. WHENEVER YOU BUY, BUY LOCAL
This will be a boost to the grand vision
of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. ONLY: PRIME MINISTER
WATER TRANSPORT
Capacity of ports across the maritime hile inaugurating and laying the foundation
borders of country is being enhanced Wstone of the development projects worth
and new ports are also being developed. Rs 620 Crore in his parliamentary constituency
The country has 21,000 kilometers Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
of waterways. For this, more than reiterated ‘Vocal for Local’ mantra. He urged that
500 projects are underway under the don’t limit it to clay lamps. As an Indian, help
Sagarmala project. those who innovate in their work to become self-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sufficient. He said, "This is our responsibility to
said, "Transport by waterway is many help those who are sweating through their hard
times cheaper than road and rail. It is work and youth of my country who are trying to do
also environment-friendly. However, something new with their intelligence, capabilities
it was only after 2014, that the work and strength. It becomes the responsibility for all
has been commenced with a holistic of us to hold their hand." He further said that Kashi
approach. These rivers and the sea has a resolve towards holy Ganga. Gradually, the
were there before Modi became the picture of Ghats is changing. It will attract tourists
PM, but what was lacking is the vision to take beautiful pictures of the Ghats of Varanasi.
which the country is having after 2014. Kashi is now freed from the trap of electric wires.
The Government is efficiently working The number of flights per day has been increased
towards developing inland waterways to 48 from 12. Road infrastructure has improved
so that land locked states should be the connectivity. Kashi is now becoming a hub of
connected to the sea.” The Government health facilities for the entire Purvanchal. In fact,
is continuously developing its the entire eastern India is getting its benefits.
capabilities in the Indian Ocean and in The Prime Minister said that poor and farmers of
the Bay of Bengal so that the maritime the villages are the biggest pillars of strength for
part emerges as an important part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign and they have
AatmaNirbhar Bharat. become the biggest beneficiaries.

New India Samachar 33