With infra push, Modi sounds poll bugle in Karnataka

In a major infrastructure push, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth more than Rs 3,600 crore at Karnataka’s Shivamogga on Monday.
PM Modi inaugurated the Shivamogga Airport and took a walk-through of the facilities.
According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the new airport is developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. The Passenger Terminal Building of the airport can handle 300 passengers per hour and will improve connectivity and accessibility of Shivamogga and other neighbouring areas in the Malnad region.
Referring to the newly inaugurated airport in hivamogga, the Prime Minister said that the needs of the citizens have been fulfilled today after a long time. Remarking on the splendid beauty and construction of the airport, the PM highlighted the amalgamation of the traditions and technology of Karnataka.
“It is not just an airport but a campaign where the dreams of the younger generations can take off,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the airport in Shivamogga is being inaugurated at a time when the enthusiasm for air travel is at an all-time high in India. He said, “only recently, Air India completed a deal to purchase the largest passenger aircraft in the world. Before 2014 during the Congress regime, Air India was generally discussed in a negative light and its identity had always been associated with scams where it was deemed a loss-making business model.”
Highlighting the Air India of today, the Prime Minister said it is recognized as the potential of the new India where it is soaring to the heights of success.
In view of expanding aviation market of India, PM Modi said the country will require thousands of aircraft in the near future where youth will be needed as a workforce. “Even though we are importing these aircraft today, the day is not far when the citizens of India will fly in Made in India passenger airplanes,” he emphasized. The Prime Minister elaborated upon the policies of the government that have led to an unprecedented expansion of the aviation sector.
“Unlike the approach of previous governments, the current government pushed for airports in smaller cities. Till 2014, the country had 74 airports in the first seven decades of independence whereas in the last nine years, 74 more airports have been added, connecting many smaller cities,” he said. The Prime Minister also mentioned the UDAN scheme for affordable air travel to realize his vision that “Hawai Chappal-wearing common citizens should be able to travel in Hawai Jahaj.”
PM Modi said that Shivamogga is a gateway to the Malenadu region which is famous for the Western Ghats and home to greenery, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, the famous Jog Falls and Elephant Camp, Lion Safari in Simha Dham and the mountain ranges of Agumbe.
He said, “The new airport is going to open doors of development for Shivamogga, the land of nature, culture and agriculture.” Recalling the adage, the Prime Minister said that life remains incomplete for those who have not taken a dip in the Ganges and drank the water of the Tungabhadra river. PM Modi further laid the foundation stone for two railway projects in Shivamogga. This includes Shivamogga – Shikaripura – Ranebennur new Railway line and Koteganguru Railway coaching depot.
The Shivamogga – Shikaripura – Ranebennur new Railway line, will be developed at a cost of Rs 990 crore and will provide enhanced connectivity of the Malnad region with the Bengaluru-Mumbai mainline. Koteganguru Railway coaching depot at Shivamogga city will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 100 crores to help start new trains from Shivamogga and decongest maintenance facilities at Bengaluru and Mysuru, said PMO statement.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Haveri and Davangere districts will also be benefitted when the Shivamogga – Shikaripura – Ranibennur new line is completed. He underlined that there will be no level crossing in this line making it a safe rail line where fast trains will be able to run smoothly.