John Wilbert and Y Naveen Kumar
Port Blair, Oct 05: The Union Home Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh today said that the Modi government wants to develop India as economic super power.
Addressing a gathering at Port Blair after inaugurating the Sea Route to Baratang Island at a function organized at Port Blair this evening, the Home Minister said that presently Indian Economy is considered among top ten economies of world.
“I am not a big economist but I feel that if India keep on progressing ahead with same speed as it is presently heading under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then by 2025 to 2030, Indian economy will stand among top ten Economies of World,” Mr. Singh added.
He said that according to some experts the present size of Indian Economy is around two trillion dollar and the according to him the size of Indian Blue Economy could become one trillion dollar in future.
“By 2014 there was only one National Highway in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and within three years now there are seven National Highways in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and this is not a small thing. This is why I strongly believe that by 2030 India will be among India’s top three economies,” he said.
Mr. Singh said that on security point of view Indian Coast is about 7300 km long and the geographical area of Indian Coast line is vast. India can’t ensure border security by building any wall or fortress.
“During my tenure as Home Minister, I felt that best power to ensure border security is at waterways and airways and I believe all the projects being taken up by Nitin Gadkari Ministry is in that direction,” the Home Minister said.
The Union Home Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh, accompanied by the Union Minister for Road, Transport & Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of State for Home, Mr. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir arrived Port Blair city the capital town of Andaman and Nicobar Islands this after noon on a two days’ visit.
They were accorded a warm welcome on their arrival at Veer Savarkar International airport by the lone Member of Parliament of A & N Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Mr. Anindo Majumdar and others.
Soon after arrival, the dignitaries proceeded to National Memorial Cellular Jail and laid wreaths at Martyr’s Column at 4.55 pm.
The Union Home Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh and the Union Minister for Road, Transport & Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari later inaugurated the Sea Route to Baratang Island at a function organized at Dr BR Ambedkar Auditorium at 5.30 pm this evening.
They also laid the foundation stone for the Extension of New Dry Dock, Port Blair, Extension of Wharf, Hope Town, Construction of Additional Jetty & Extension of Berthing Jetty, Neil Island during this function, organized by the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works, Ministry of Shipping, GoI.
The Minister of State for Home, Mr. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, the Lt Governor, A&N Islands, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi and the Member of Parliament, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray were also present on the occasion.
Tomorrow the Union Ministers will depart for Diglipur where they will lay the Foundation Stone for Andaman Trunk Road and also address the gathering at a function to be held at Diglipur Stadium at 10.15 am.
Thereafter, the Union Ministers will proceed to Baratang and lay the Foundation Stone for Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait Bridges at 12.15 pm on the same day. They will also address the public at Forest Ground, Baratang.
On completion of the visit, the dignitaries will depart for New Delhi in the evening of Oct. 6, 2017.
