"21st Century Belongs to 140 Crore Indians": PM Modi in Andhra Pradesh
Digital Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, declared that the 21st century will be the century of 140 crore Indians. Speaking after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹13,430 crore in Kurnool, Modi emphasized India's growing global stature as a manufacturing powerhouse. He credited the vision of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) as the cornerstone of this transformation.
“By 2047, as India celebrates 100 years of independence, I have full confidence that we will achieve the dream of a Viksit Bharat — a developed India,” Modi said.
Spiritual Visit to Srisailam
Before attending the events in Kurnool, PM Modi visited the sacred Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Srisailam, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and 52 Shakti Peethas — uniquely being both. He offered prayers, performed puja, and meditated at the temple. He also paid homage at the Shri Shivaji Sphurti Kendra.
Major Projects Unveiled
- ₹2,880 crore Transmission Line
A 765 kV double-circuit transmission line from Kurnool-III Pooling Station to Chilakaluripeta will enhance renewable energy capacity with an added transformation capability of 6,000 MVA. - ₹4,920 crore Industrial Hubs in Kurnool and Kadapa
Jointly developed by NICDIT and APIIC, these multi-sectoral industrial parks will offer plug-and-play infrastructure and promote the walk-to-work model. They're expected to draw ₹21,000 crore in investments and create around one lakh jobs. - ₹960 crore Greenfield Highway
A six-lane highway between Sabbavaram and Sheelanagar is planned to ease traffic congestion and improve regional connectivity.
Digital Infrastructure Boost
At a later event, Modi announced plans for a new international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam. This strategic project will bring global subsea cables to India’s east coast, establishing Visakhapatnam as a major hub for AI innovation and digital connectivity — not just for India but for the world. He lauded the leadership of Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu for his vision in driving this initiative forward