Addressing a massive gathering at Uddandarayunipalem near Vijaywada after laying the foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh’s new capital Amaravati, he assured people that the Ventral government would stand by the state in its journey for development.
“Be assured this pair of Chandrababu Naidu and Modi will achieve in time-bound manner the commitments made and fulfil the dreams of Andhra,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had brought soil from the Parliament complex and water from the Yamuna for Amaravati.
After laying the foundation stone of the new capital, Modi presented the soil and water to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Modi said he was pained by the loss of life and damage to property that came with the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and blamed the former Congress-led government for dividing the state in haste.
"Andhra and Telangana bifurcation was done in a hurry, without proper consultation, but I am still pained by the loss of innocent life and damage to property that took place...," Modi said after laying the foundation stone for new state capital Amaravati near here.
“Whether it is Andhra or Telangana, our soul is Telugu. Both states are two arms of the Telugu soul, both states shall prosper,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that three states were divided in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, but there was no bad blood. “Three states were divided in Vajpayeeji’s time, there was no bloodshed, no bad feelings, I wish that for Andhra and Telangana too,” he said.
Modi also offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala and confidence that the country would remain peaceful and united. This is his maiden visit to the ancient temple after becoming the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was accompanied to the temple by Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju, M Venkiah Naidu and Nirmala Sitaraman.
Modi was accorded a traditional welcome amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests, who conducted him to the sanctum sanctorum of the 2000-year old shrine. The PM was in the temple for 30 minutes, said temple chairman Chadalavada Krishnamurthy.
After the worship, Modi was honoured with a sacred silk cloth, Prasadam, holy water in a bottle and a Lord’s framed photo.
Before proceeding to the hill temple, Modi inaugurated a new integrated Eagle shaped Garuda terminal constructed at a cost of Rs 191 crore by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at the Tirupati Airport.
The new steel and glass integrated terminal building, with a capacity to handle 500 domestic and 200 international passengers at a time, was built over an area of 16,500 sqm in addition to 5,500 sqm of basement.
It has full-fledged facilities such as 18 check-in counters, four immigration counters, four baggage conveyors for arrival and one for departure, two VIP lounges and a parking lot for about 250 cars, officials at the airport said.
After declaring open the terminal, Modi said the tourism sector in the world had been developing in a big way and providing employment to to a large number of people.
“If tourism is developed, the poorest of the poor is also benefited,” he said.
Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a mobile phone manufacturing hub, which will come up close to the airport.