PM Inaugurates, Lays Foundation Stones in Raipur

• 10 Jul 2023

Why in News?

On July 7, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth about Rs 7500 crore in Raipur, Chhattisgarh and dedicated them to the nation.

Key Points:

• Taking a major step towards infrastructure development, the Prime Minister today laid the foundation stone and dedicated five National Highway projects worth about Rs 6,400 crore.
• Among the projects to be dedicated to the nation, is 33 km of the Raipur to Kodebod section on the Jabalpur-Jagdalpur National Highway. Long 4-lane roadway included.
  • Apart from promoting tourism, this section is important for the movement of raw materials, finished products of steel plants near Jagdalpur and provides connectivity to iron ore-rich areas.
• At the event, the PM dedicated the national four-laning of the 33-km-long Raipur-Kodebod section of the National Highway 30, the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of NH-130.
  • It will help in improving the connectivity of Chhattisgarh with Uttar Pradesh and promote coal movement by providing connectivity to coal mines in nearby areas.
• The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for 3 National Highway projects for the Chhattisgarh section of the 6-lane greenfield Raipur-Visakhapatnam corridor.
  • He laid the foundation stone for the construction of three sections - Jhanki-Sargi (43 km), Sargi Basanwahi (57 km) and Basanwahi-Marangpuri (25 km) - as a part of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor NH-130 CD.
  • Apart from this, a major component of this project is 2.8 Km. There is a long 6-lane tunnel, which includes 27 animal evacuation routes and 17 monkey shelters for the unrestricted wildlife sanctuary area in the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary area.
  • These projects will provide better connectivity to rice mills in Dhamtari and bauxite-rich areas in Kanker and also benefit the handicraft industry in Kondagaon. Overall, these projects will give prominence to the socio-economic development of the region.
• The Prime Minister completed 103 km at a cost of Rs 750 crore. He also dedicated the doubling of the long Raipur-Khariar road rail line to the nation. This will make it easier for industries in Chhattisgarh to transport coal, steel, fertilizers and other commodities from ports.
• He also inaugurated the 17 km Keoti-Antagarh link developed at a cost of Rs 290 crore. He also dedicated the long new railway line to the nation. The new railway line will provide connectivity to Bhilai Steel Plant with iron ore mines of Dalli-Rajhara and Rowghat areas and will connect remote areas of southern Chhattisgarh passing through dense forests.
• The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per annum at Korba built at a cost of over Rs 130 crore.
• He also flagged off Antagarh-Raipur train through a video link. Apart from this, the Prime Minister launched the distribution of 75 lakh cards to the beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat.
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of two economic corridors in Chhattisgarh, the Raipur-Dhanbad Economic Corridor and the Raipur-Vishakhapatnam Economic Corridor.
• Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that these projects will make life easier for the people and strengthen the healthcare system in the state. These projects will increase employment opportunities in the state, as well as benefit paddy farmers, the mineral industry and the tourism industry of Chhattisgarh.
• Chhattisgarh Governor Vishwabhushan Harichandan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, as well as Members of Parliament, were present on the occasion. and other dignitaries were also present.