Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on Friday and Saturday to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development projects worth thousands of crore. This is seen as a major infrastructure and connectivity push for southern states, especially as two of these—Karnataka and Telangana—will go to polls soon.
Telangana
In Telangana, Modi will lay foundation stones for multiple projects including AIIMS Bibinagar, besides flagging off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express in Hyderabad on Saturday. AIIMS Bibinagar is being developed at the cost of more than Rs. 1,350 crore. The Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express, connecting Hyderabad with the abode of Lord Venkateswara, Tirupati, is the second Vande Bharat train to be started from Telangana within a short span of three months. The train will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three and half hours and will be particularly beneficial for pilgrim passengers.
During the visit, Modi will flag-off 13 new Multi-Modal Transport Service (MMTS) services in the suburban section of Hyderabad-Secunderabad twin city region, providing commuters with a fast and convenient travel option. He will also inaugurate the doubling and electrification of the Secunderabad-Mahabubnagar project. The project stretching for a distance of over 85 km has been completed at a cost of nearly ₹ 1,410 crore.
The Hyderabad traffic police has issued traffic advisories to be followed during the PM's visit. Ahead of the PM's visit, Hyderabad is witnessing a poster war between BJP and the ruling BRS. Taking a dig at Modi's recent comments about 'pariwarwad' of dynastic politics, the BRS, according to reports, has put huge poster with the photographs of BJP leaders whose fathers or other relatives were also in politics at Secunderabad.
Tamil Nadu
Modi will arrive in Chennai on Saturday where he will inaugurate the state-of-the-art integrated terminal building set up at a total outlay of Rs 2,437 crore at the Chennai airport. The new terminal, the first phase of which has been completed, is expected to enhance the passenger traffic to 35 million per year. The terminal is equipped with 108 immigration counters which are split equally between arrival and departure areas.
Modi will also flag off the Vande Bharat train between Chennai and Coimbatore at the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M G R Central Railway Station. Later, Modi would take part in the 125th annual day celebrations of Ramakrishna Mutt at Vivekanandhar Illam
Security has been beefed up across the city and while motorists have been asked to plan ahead in the wake elaborate traffic diversions.
On Sunday, he will also visit the Theppakadu Elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and interact with mahouts. At Theppakadu, he will also meet Bomman and Bellie—the star couple of the Oscar-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers.
Karnataka
Modi's visit comes right at the peak of poll fever in the state where elections are scheduled for May 10. According to reports, Modi will meet leaders to finalise the list of candidates for the polls. The party's state unit has completed screening process and shortlisted candidates for each seat. It is now up to the central leadership to make the final picks.
PM Modi will visit Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Sunday morning and interact with staff involved in conservation activities. Ahead of Modi's visit, the Chamarajanagar district administration has barred the general public from taking the safari ride till April 9. Modi will also inaugurate the programme 'Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger'. A commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger will also be released by the Prime Minister.
