Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for much-awaited SCoR Zone headquarters in Visakhapatnam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually lays foundation stone for South Coast Railway Zone in Visakhapatnam, launching projects worth ₹2 lakh crore.

Surrounded by a massive outpouring of people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flanked by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, virtually laid the foundation stone for the highly-awaited South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

In what is his first trip to Visakhapatnam after the 2024 elections, the Prime Minister began his speech in Telugu, much to the delight of the large gathering in attendance at the venue of the public meeting — the Andhra University College of Engineering (AUCE) grounds.

“Meeru naapai chupisthunna premaki, abhimananiki kruthagyatalu. Naa abhimanam choopinchukune samayam ippudu naaku vachhindi (I express my heartfelt thankfulness for the love and affection you have showered on me. The time has come for me to repay my gratitude to you all),” began the Prime Minister, to a thunderous applause from the gathering.

Along with laying the foundation stone for the SCoR Zone, the Prime Minister virtually launched various projects worth over ₹2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh, including the NTPC green hydrogen project at Pudimadaka and the bulk drug park at Nakkapalli, on Wednesday evening.

“The railway zone has been a long-cherished dream of the people of Visakhapatnam. Andhra Pradesh has already achieved 100% rail electrification. Over 70 railway stations in the State have been chosen for development under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme,” the Prime Minister said.

Describing Visakhapatnam as the gateway to Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Modi said that maritime trade with other countries flourished from the city for centuries, and continues to do so. The projects launched today would help transform the State, he said.

Stating that Visakhapatnam was one of the few cities chosen across the country for setting up of a green hydrogen hub by the NTPC, Mr. Modi said the project would generate large-scale employment apart from significantly contributing to the development of a manufacturing ecosystem. The Bulk Drug Park at Nakkapalli, near Visakhapatnam, was one of three such projects across the country for research and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, he said.