PM Modi to inaugurate National Youth Festival in Nashik, unveil dvpt projects in Maharastra

PM Modi/AFP

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to kick off the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik and unveil development initiatives in Maharashtra valued at more than Rs 30,500 crore.

In keeping with his goal of improving connectivity and urban transport infrastructure for better mobility, Modi will open the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), which is now known as the "Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu." Constructed at a cost above Rs 17,840 crore, the bridge, the longest in India and the longest sea bridge in the country seeks to provide speedier access to Mumbai International Airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and minimise travel time between Mumbai, Pune, Goa, and South India.

IN PHOTOS: MMRDA shares first look of MTHL during sunset ahead of its inauguration

10 months agoPHOTO GALLERY

"I look forward to being among the people of Maharashtra tomorrow, 12th January, which is also the Jayanti of Jija Mata and Swami Vivekananda. In Nashik, I will pray at the Shree Kalaram Mandir and attend the National Youth Festival. Thereafter, I will go to Mumbai from where I will travel to Navi Mumbai on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri - Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, a major infrastructure project for people in Mumbai and surrounding areas. Various other development works will also be inaugurated at a public meeting in Navi Mumbai," PM Modi had written in a social media post.

The prime minister will unveil a number of projects in Navi Mumbai, including a 9.2-kilometer-long underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive that will cost more than Rs 8,700 crore. In addition, he will dedicate Phase 1 of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project, which cost more than Rs 1,975 crore and will benefit around 14 lakh people in Maharashtra's Palghar and Thane districts.

Modi will also launch rail projects and the 'Bharat Ratnam' (Mega Common Facilitation Centre) for the Gems and Jewellery sector at the Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone. The Centre, which has cutting-edge technology such as 3D metal printing, aims to improve the export sector of the Gems and Jewellery trade while also facilitating local manufacturing.

The National Youth Festival, held yearly from January 12 to 16, will be opened by PM Modi in Nashik on Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. The festival's theme is 'Viksit Bharat@2047: Yuva ke liye, yuva ke dwara'. Every year, hundreds of young people attend the festival, which also includes CM Shinde and other dignitaries.