Addressing a mass gathering after the inauguration of the third Narmada pumping station at Bhachau, Kutch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to value each drop of Narmada water as budget meant for poor was cut to ensure large budgetary allocations to bring Narmada water to the arid district of Kutch. The new pumping station is expected to bring water for irrigation and drinking purpose to many parts of the region suffering from acute water shortage.
“When we told other states that majority budget allocation by Gujarat is made for water, other states would not understand. They would think Gujarat is a happy and prosperous state. But we know that over the years we have tried to fetch Narmada water to you by denying hopes and aspirations of many poor people by cutting allocations who could have been provided good schools, hospitals and food,” Modi said. “Now that Narmada is coming, the budget will be curtailed in the coming days. It will be possible to use funds for the priority areas of the poor. At this time, do not forget the poor, pledge to use Narmada water judiciously so that it greens your farms and brings prosperity not just to you but the poor as well.”
Promising to change the lives of people in the water-scarce region, the PM said, “We have lived the fact that Narmada, considering the lifeline of Gujarat, has become our life. A week ago, I offered prayers at Amarkantak from where Narmada originates and today the waters have travelled thousands of kilometres to reach Kutch. The elders who have lived their lives battling water scarcity will bless us.”
Announcing a couple of other projects, Modi said Gujarat's Kandla Port will soon be connected with Chabahar port in Iran. The country's largest cargo handling port will be developed with India's participation to boost its international trade. “The way competition is increasing, if India has to progress and cement its place in global trade, it is very important to have ports with modern facilities.” Laying foundation for developing new facilities at Kandla, he added that in a “very short span of time, Kandla has emerged as one of the most prominent ports in Asia.”
“India has a long history of sea trade. With 7,700-km coastline, what is the need to move cargo by railways or roads? Sea route is far more cost effective and we are moving towards that direction when more and more cargo will be ferried through the sea route.” Modi also stated that the government was working on further developing multi-modal transport system to connect ports with railway networks for seamless movements of cargo.
In his trip to Gujarat, Modi also addressed over 4,500 delegates of African Development Bank at its annual meeting held at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar.
