Projects in Union territories will open avenues for accelerated growth: PM

Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Daman on Friday evening that the Union govt has resolved to ensure accelerated development of Union territories. The PM said during a public meeting that several projects related to connectivity, health, education, tourism and urban infrastructure, for which foundation stones have been laid, will not only make life easy for residents of Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, but will also set the stage for bigger welfare projects.

“These projects will make life easy for residents, create growth and employment opportunities, and boost the hospitality industry,” the PM said. He stressed the importance of sustainable development and commended the planting of 1 lakh saplings in the Union territory.

“We are proud of the fact that in this Union territory, 100 per cent of govt buildings run on solar power,” he said, adding that in Diu, the daytime power requirement is met through solar energy. “We will have to expand this to homes,” the PM said.

Regarding the airport terminal, bridge, beachfront, convention centre, hospital and other projects that were unveiled, the PM said, “We are laying the foundation for bigger projects in this Union territory. It will lead to newer business opportunities, and the hospitality economy will receive a boost.”

Modi said that the foundation stones for ports on two Lakshadweep islands have also been laid, and that this was part of the Centre’s vision to give the blue economy a new direction.