Hubball: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated IIT Dharwad’s new campus developed at a cost of Rs 850 crore to the nation. He also inaugurated the World’s longest railway platform at Hubballi station. The electrification of the Hospete-Hubballi-Tinaighat section and upgraded Hosapete station projects were also dedicated by the Prime Minister. A foundation stone was laid for Jayadeva Hospital and Research Centre in Hubballi. Various projects worth Rs 520 crore were inaugurated and initiated under the Smart City programme in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the double-engine government at the centre and state has driven growth and ushered in prosperity in Karnataka. He said that earlier governments laid the foundation stone and completely forgot about it and announcements were made to just get political mileage. But now, he said that the foundation stone for the IIT Dharwad campus was laid by him and today he inaugurated it. Mr Modi said smart governance and productive thinking processes have brought in sea changes. In the last nine years, the number of AIIMS has gone up by three times in the country. Before 2014 there were just 360 medical colleges and in just nine years 250 new medical colleges have come up. The number of IIMs and IITs has also gone up.
The Prime Minister said the National highways have seen 55 per cent growth, villages are now provided housing, electricity, toilets, roads, tap water, good hospitals and schools. Broadband penetration has increased and internet prices have remained low. PM Gati Shakti master plan has resulted in the rapid execution of infrastructure projects.
The Prime Minister raised the issue of persons denigrating Indian democracy in London. He pointed out that when he visited London, the statue of Lord Basaveshwara was unveiled by him and he spoke about Anubhava Mantapa of social thinker Basaveshwara which functioned like the present-day parliament. He said no forces can undermine our democracy. He stressed that Indian democracy is not only the largest democracy but also the mother of democracy in the world. He called upon people to be alert about such forces that defile our democracy abroad and added that Karmataka’s high-tech engine needs the power of a double engine for growth.
