Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said India has evolved from a Samarth Bharat (Capable India) into a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He lauded major national achievements under the Prime Minister’s leadership, including lifting 25 crore citizens out of poverty and transitioning India into a defence-exporting nation.

In a letter, Fadnavis extended his heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing an unprecedented 12 years in office. He hailed PM Modi as the “longest serving elected Prime Minister in Bharat’s history” and expressed deep gratitude for his unwavering support towards Maharashtra’s infrastructure and development projects.

The Chief Minister recalled how the Prime Minister swiftly approved a special package in 2015 for Maharashtra’s severely drought-affected regions, enabling the completion of over 100 crucial irrigation projects in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra.

Fadnavis credited PM Modi for key cultural milestones, including the inclusion of 11 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the granting of Classical Language status to Marathi, and the establishment of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s memorials in both London and Mumbai (Indu Mill).

He credited the central government for accelerating mega-projects that had been delayed for decades, such as the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai Metro-3, metro networks in Nagpur and Pune, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, and the Coastal Road.

Fadnavis highlighted the upcoming Vadhavan Port, describing it as an iconic project poised to shape the national economy for the next 50 years and generate over 10 lakh jobs. He also noted the expansion of the Amravati Textile Park into a Mega Textile Park, alongside developments in the AURIC City and Dighi Port.

The Chief Minister emphasised that Gadchiroli is actively transforming into the nation’s “Green Steel Hub”. He asserted that the region will serve as a national model of development following the successful elimination of Naxalism.

The letter arrives at a critical juncture as Maharashtra faces the immediate impacts of climate change, with the spectre of El Niño looming and an expectedly delayed monsoon. However, expressing full confidence in the state’s resilience, Fadnavis noted that the backing of the central government gives Maharashtra the confidence to state it “will not stop now”.

The Chief Minister wished PM Modi the very best for the journey ahead and requested his continued blessings and guidance to further advance Maharashtra’s development.

–IANS

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