Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Karnataka, on June 20 and 21. The hectic visit will see him inaugurating a series of developmental and public utilities projects in Bengaluru, including the much-awaited suburban rail for the city.
But the highlight of this trip will be his participation in the International Day of Yoga event in the backdrop of the iconic Mysuru palace on Tuesday.
Ahead of the visit, many of the routes that he is expected to travel through saw a huge facelift. Anticipating security and traffic concerns, the Education Department also declared a one-day holiday to a total of 22 schools along the routes that will be taken by the Prime Minister.
Here are the updates from PM Modi’s two-day visit to Karnataka
PM concludes College Address in Mysuru
With all eyes are on Mysuru tomorrow on the occasion of International Day of Yoga, PM Narendra Modi has concluded his address at Maharaja College grounds in Mysuru.
Update on Karnataka Railway work
Naganahalli and Mysuru coaching project will lessen the pressure on the existing rail infrastructure; The railway project will also benefit tourism in Mysuru.
Railway budget for Karnataka was ₹800 crore before 2014. Now this government gave ₹7,000 crore to Karnataka in the railway budget.
Update on Karnataka Highway work
About 5,000 KM Highway work executed in Karnataka at a cost of ₹70,000 crore in last eight years.
Benefits for specially enabled people; PM urges start ups
“People with disabilities get maximum benefits from the government. Educational courses are being improved, and facilities are being made disabled-friendly. Common sign language has been developed for the benefit of disabled commuters. Sir MV Railway Station in Bengaluru has braile map and other disabled-friendly amenities”, added PM Narendra Modi while also lauding the AIISH for making the lives of people with disabilities better.
PM asks start ups to do some works that can bring strength among the people with disabilities.
Update on Centre’s PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
Rs 10,000 crore has been credited into the accounts of 56 lakh farmers in Karnataka under the Centre’s PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
4.25 crore people getting free ration in Karnataka
“Ayushman Bharat’s benefits are being availed in Karnataka. One beneficiary Nitish in Mysuru told me he got a new lease of life because of Ayushman Bharat scheme”, says PM Modi.
PM Modi starts address
“The double engine governments working closely for Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. In 7 decades Karnataka saw many governments. But the benefits of those governments were limited. But the NDA government worked on mission mode to reach benefits to the poor”, began PM Narendra Modi.
Interaction with beneficiaries of Central govt schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins interaction with beneficiaries of various Central Government projects.
PM Modi reaches Mysuru
Lands at Oval Maidan Helipad, Mysuru. Accompanied by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and CM Basavaraj Bommai.
PM Modi leaves for Mysuru
PM Modi takes off from Kommaghatta helipad. He is expected to reach Mysuru around 5.30 pm. He will head to Maharaja College Grounds for a public interaction with beneficiaries of various Central government schemes. He will also be unrolling several developmental programmes.
He will then inaugurate the Sanskrit Pathashaala and the newly constructed students’ hostel at Suttur Math at 7 pm. The first day of PM’s Karnataka visit will end with offering a special pooja at Chamundi Hill. The pooja is scheduled to start around 7.50 pm.
PM addresses public rally in Kommaghatta
Mr. Modi starts his speech by greeting people of the state, and especially Bengaluru, in Kannada. “Today has been an important day for the state as I am happy to start many public infrastructure projects,” he said in Kannada. These projects will give a fillip to both ease of living and ease of doing business, he added.
“Today, we are witness to the promise of fast-paced development by the ‘double-engine’ government,” Mr. Modi said.
“Bengaluru is key to create a ‘shreshtha bharat’. So, in the past 8 years, the Union government has been working to improve facilities in the city. Be it reducing congestion or reducing travel time, the government is at it,” the PM said.
“The double engine government has now brought suburban rail to provide better connectivity in the city. I heard that this project has been discussed from 1980s. It has spent 40 years in discussion. I will promise the state that I will work hard in 40 years and make it a reality.”
“Imagine this should have been done 40 years ago! Had it been done then, Bengaluru would have developed even faster. It is written in my fate to do this project,” PM Modi said.
“The union government is ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the popular CM Basavaraj Bommai for the overall development of Karnataka,” said Mr Modi.
Bengaluru gets suburban rail
PM laid foundation stone for Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), which will connect the City with its suburbs and satellite townships. A ₹15,700 crore project, it will have four corridors covering a distance of 148 km.
Foundation stone also laid for redevelopment of Bengaluru Cantonment and Yeshvantpur railway stations. They are to be developed at a cost of around ₹500 crore and ₹375 crore, respectively.
The PM dedicated to the nation the recently-commissioned fully air-conditioned railway station – Sir M Visvesvaraya Railway Station at Baiyappanahalli. It has been developed like an airport at a cost of Rs 315 crore.
Watch: PM to inaugurate airport-like railway station
He flagged off electric trains from Udupi, Madagaon and Ratnagiri as part of launching the 100 per cent electrification of the Konkan railway line (about 740 km) from Roha (Maharashtra) to Thokur (Karnataka). The electrification has been done at a cost of more than ₹1,280 crore.
Two railway line doubling projects – Arsikere to Tumkuru (around 96 km) and Yelahanka to Penukonda (around 120 km) – dedicated to nation by flagging off passenger trains and MEMU service, respectively.
Modi unveils Ambedkar statue
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at Dr BR Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE) in Bengaluru. He also inaugurated a new campus of BASE University.
At the event, he also unveiled 150 ‘Technology Hubs’ that have been developed by transforming the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Karnataka. Developed at a cost of over ₹4,700 crore, the Technology Hubs initiative is supported by many industry partners, and aims to create a skilled workforce to address Industry 4.0 manpower needs.
These Technology Hubs will provide high skill training in cutting edge technology and improve opportunities for ITI graduates in employment and entrepreneurship.
Chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ greet PM
PM Modi stops near Mekhri Circle to wave at BJP workers; greeted by loud cheers of his name
PM Modi inaugurates Centre for Brain Research
PM Modi inaugurates the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) and lays the foundation stone of Bagchi Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital.
The CBR, built at a cost of ₹280 crore, will work towards evidence-based public health interventions to delay the onset of dementia and slow its progress. The 832-bed Bagchi Parthasarathy Hospital, coming up at a cost of ₹425 crore, is a CSR initiative at IISc.
Traffic restrictions owing to the PM’s visit
High alert has been sounded in the city with over 10,000 police personnel deployed at every three meters along the route map of Mr. Modi's convoy to provide security cover.
Traffic police have restricted vehicle movements on the route and some shops have also been shut down. Vehicle movement in the IISc and Bengaluru University campus have been banned.
PM Modi at Air Force Training Command
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Air Force Training Command, Yelahanka
PM to arrive at the Air Force Training Command Helipad
Thousands of BJP workers decked up with Modi masks, BJP party caps, shawls, flags and other paraphernalia have gathered on either side of Ballari Road. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at the Air Force Training Command Helipad, Yelahanka and will reach the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) by road.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, former chief minister B. S. Yediyurappa, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, BJP State president Nalin Kumar Kateel and other leaders will welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Air Force Training Command, Yelahanka.
The PM will return to the Air Force Training Command Helipad, from where he will leave for Kommaghatta, Kengeri to lay the foundation stone for the suburban rail project.
Siddaramaiah on PM’s visit
Ahead of Mr Modi’s visit, Leader of the Opposition of Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah recollected the 2017 inauguration of the Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics by former PM Manmohan Singh. He tweeted the INC’s contribution towards the university with the hashtag #INCestablishedBASE
PM Modi’s itinerary of his trip to the State
PM Modi took to twitter to outline the itinerary of his trip in English and Kannada.
Bengaluru City Traffic Police issues a detailed traffic advisory for PM’s visit
On Monday morning, BIAL asked air passengers to avoid Mehkri Circle and Hebbal Flyover route between 11 am and 1 pm and reach the Kempegowda International Airport through alternative routes.
The Bengaluru City Traffic Police had issued a detailed traffic advisory on Sunday night.
Bengaluru’s Suburban Rail - no longer a dream
After decades of wait and multiple online and offline campaigns by citizens and rail activists, on June 20, 2022, Bengaluru’s suburban rail network will inch closer to becoming a reality as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the project. Read more about the project here, which comprises four corridors and is estimated to cost ₹15,767 crore.
