Ganga bridge to put J'khand on world cargo traffic map

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a multi-modal terminal on the river Ganga at Sahibganj in Jharkhand. This is an important component of the proposed 1,100-km long national waterway between Varanasi and Haldia. This is a part of the development of the National Waterway-1 from Varanasi to Haldia. It will have a cargo handling capacity of 2.24 million tonnes per annum. The project will lead to the creation of business and employment opportunities in Jharkhand. It will also benefit rural areas in Jharkhand.

"This project will connect Jharkhand with the rest of the world…We have built railways and airways. But the only problem was waterways. This project will change that," PM said. "Hence, we begin work on a big project over the Ganga that will link Bihar and Jharkhand. This project will ensure faster development."

PM Modi also inaugurated Govindpur-Jamtara-Dumka-Sahibganj Highway. He said this road would prove to be a road of development of even the poorest people in Santhal Pargana region.

The third project for which PM Modi laid the foundation stone was for setting up of a Solar power facility on the Sahibganj District Court premises and Sahibganj district hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the "age of honesty" has started in India under the BJP rule. Talking about his fight against corruption and black money, Modi said at Sahibganj in Jharkhand, "The poor of India want to lead a life of dignity and they want opportunities to prove themselves. I have faith in their skills. Those who have looted the poor will have to return to the poor what they have looted. I need your blessings for this."

"'Imandari Ka Yug (age of honesty) has started in India. A good life can be led even without looting the poor," he added. He paid his homage to the martyrs of the land: Bhagvan Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi, Sido, Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav, Nilambar and Pitambar. Modi reminded that never since Independence have two grand schemes been inaugurated for the development of the Santhal Parganas in the same programme.

Congratulating Chief Minister of Jharkhand Raghuvar Das for leading the state on the path of development, Modi commented on the neglect that Santhal Parganas has suffered for decades.

The Santhal Parganas, he said, must be brought into the mainstream of development in all its dimensions. The proposed bridge on the Ganga will connect Bihar and Jharkhand and open new vistas for the development of Jharkhand. The Prime Minister assured that the bridge, estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 2,200 crore, will be completed under the direct leadership of the Cabinet Minister Nitin Gadkari within the stipulated time. He expressed his delight at prospects that the bridge will create by connecting Jharkhand with the North Eastern state and the enormous opportunities for employment that will be subsequently generated.

Speaking about the Sahibganj Port, Modi said that the people of Santhal Parganas have gained immensely from the port for centuries and we can never pay our debts to Mother Ganga. The more we pay her, the more life she breathes into us, told the Prime Minister. The construction of the port on Ganga will immediately launch Jharkhand as a centre-point in the international cargo traffic.