Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh(AP) from May 1-2, 2025, to inaugurate various developmental projects.
- He inaugurated World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Maharashtra and dedicated Vizhinjam port to the nation in Kerala. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple development projects worth over Rs.58,000 crore in AP.
Highlights of the Visit to Maharashtra:
i.During his visit to Maharashtra, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind WAVES 2025, a four-day summit with tagline “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries” at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- It is organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MoI&B), in association with the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA).
ii.He greeted the people of Maharashtra on Maharashtra Day, which is celebrated on 1st May every year.
- Maharashtra Day commemorates the formation of the state of Maharashtra in 1960. This day marks the enactment of the Bombay Reorganisation Act, which divided the erstwhile Bombay State into two separate states: Maharashtra for Marathi-speaking people and Gujarat for Gujarati-speaking people.
Highlights of the visit to Kerala:
On May 2, 2025, PM Narendra Modi dedicated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport worth Rs.8,867 crore to the country in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Chief Minister of Kerala (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan, Shashi Tharoor, Member of Lok Sabha (Thiruvananthapuram) were also present among other dignitaries.
- The full-fledged operation is planned to begin by the year 2028-29.
About Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport :
i.It is India’s first dedicated container transshipment port, that represents the transformative advancements being made in India’s marine sector as part of the unified vision of Viksit Bharat.
ii.The port has been constructed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with a capacity of up to 5 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEUs).
- After a successful trial phase in July 2024, the port has made remarkable achievements in transshipment container handling, with over 285 ships docking at the port, including MSC Türkiye, one of the largest containers in the world.
iii.Its natural deep draft of 20 metres(m) and location near one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes further strengthens India’s position in global trade.
iv.Vizhinjam Port, having strategic importance, has been identified as the key priority project which will contribute to strengthening India’s position in global trade, enhance logistics efficiency and reduce reliance on foreign ports.
- PM Modi highlighted that 75% of India’s transshipment operations were previously conducted at foreign ports.
Highlights of the visit to AP:
On May 2, 2025, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple development projects worth over Rs.58,000 crore in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- CM of AP, Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM, Pawan Kalyan, Syed Abdul Nazeer, Government of AP were also present among other dignitaries.
Key Highlights:
i.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 7 National Highway (NH) projects, which include widening of various sections of NH, construction of Road over bridge and subway among others.
- These projects will further enhance connectivity to places like Tirupathi, Srikalahasthi, Malakonda and Udayagiri Fort among others
ii.He also dedicated railway projects, aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting capacity.
- These projects are boosting the rail line between Bugganapalle Cement Nagar and Panyam stations, enhancing connectivity between Rayalaseema and Amaravati, and construction of a third rail line between New West Block Hut Cabin and Vijayawada stations.
iii.He also laid the foundation stone of 6 NH projects and 1 Railway project. This includes widening of various sections of NH, construction of elevated corridors, half clover leaf and Road over bridge.
- Construction of Rail over Rail between Guntakal West and Mallappa gate stations, aims to bypass freight trains and reduce congestion at the Guntakal junction.
iv.PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for 74 projects worth Rs.49,000 crore. It includes the Legislative Assembly, High court(HC), Secretariat, other administrative buildings and housing buildings for over 5,200 families, worth Rs.11,240 crore.
- It will also include trunk infrastructure and flood mitigation projects featuring a 320 km world-class transport network with underground utilities and advanced flood management systems, worth Rs.17,400 crore.
- The Land Pooling Scheme infrastructure projects will cover 1,281 km of roads equipped with central medians, cycle tracks and integrated utilities across the capital city of Amaravati, worth Rs.20,400 crore
v.He laid the foundation stone of Missile Test Range at Nagayalanka, AP, worth Rs.1,460 crore.
- It will comprise a launch centre, Indigenous Radars, Telemetry and Electric-Optical systems.
vi.He also laid the foundation stone of PM Ekta Mall, where artisans and craftsmen from across India will have their products showcased under one roof, at Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam, AP.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister(CM) – Devendra Fadnavis
Governor – C.P Radhakrishnan
Capital – Mumbai
Tiger Reserve – Melghat Tiger Reserve, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
About Kerala:
Chief Minister(CM) – Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor – Rajendra Arlekar
Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
Stadium – Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Jimmy George Indoor Stadium
