“For peace, stability and prosperity in the world, India must become self-reliant… whether chips or ships, they must be made in India,” says Prime Minister.
Bhavnagar, Gujarat, September 21, 2025 – Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹34,200 crore in Bhavnagar during the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ event. The projects, spanning ports, renewable energy, healthcare, urban transport, and maritime infrastructure, are expected to significantly boost Gujarat’s and India’s growth trajectory.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said:
“India is moving forward with the spirit of global brotherhood. We have no major enemies today, but our biggest adversary is dependence on others. For global peace, stability and prosperity, India must become self-reliant.”
He declared that large ships have now been given infrastructure status, calling it a “historic decision” that will ease financing and strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem.
Key Highlights of PM’s Address
- Self-Reliance the National Goal
The PM cautioned that dependence on foreign nations compromises national self-respect and hampers future generations. He said, “If India is to become a developed nation by 2047, it must become self-reliant. There is no alternative.” - Maritime Sector Reforms
- Launch of ‘One Nation, One Document’ and ‘One Nation, One Port’ process to simplify trade.
- Introduction of five reformed maritime laws to modernize shipping and port governance.
- Over ₹70,000 crore to be invested in three new schemes supporting shipbuilding technology, financing, and quality standards.
- Economic and Strategic Importance
- India currently pays $75 billion annually to foreign shipping companies—nearly equal to the defence budget.
- India’s share in global trade carried by Indian ships has fallen from 40% to 5%.
- PM Modi emphasized reversing this dependency: “Chips or ships, we must make them in India.”
- Boost to Employment
The PM underlined the multiplier effect of shipbuilding, noting that every 100 jobs in shipyards can generate over 600 in allied sectors, benefiting MSMEs across steel, textiles, electronics, and IT industries. - Maritime Heritage & Tourism
The PM announced progress on the world-class Maritime Museum at Lothal, which he said will emerge as a new symbol of India’s maritime identity, much like the Statue of Unity. - Regional Focus – Gujarat
Gujarat’s ports already handle 40% of India’s sea cargo, and projects inaugurated today will further leverage the Dedicated Freight Corridor for efficiency. The Alang Ship Breaking Yard was cited as a growing employment hub.
Major Projects Inaugurated / Laid Foundation Stone
- Maritime Infrastructure (₹34,200 crore total)
- Mumbai International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock.
- New Container Terminal at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
- Cargo facilities at Paradip Port.
- Tuna Tekra Multi-Cargo Terminal (Deendayal Port, Kandla).
- Coastal protection works at Chennai Port and Car Nicobar.
- Green Bio-Methanol Plant at Kandla.
- Ship repair facilities at Patna and Varanasi.
- Gujarat Development Works (₹26,354 crore)
- HPLNG Regasification Terminal at Chhara Port.
- 600 MW Green Shoe Initiative & solarization projects under PM-KUSUM.
- Acrylics & Oxo Alcohol Project at Gujarat IOCL Refinery.
- Expansion of Sir T. General Hospital (Bhavnagar) and Guru Govind Sinh Government Hospital (Jamnagar).
- Four-laning of 70 km of national highways.
- Future-Oriented Projects
- Review of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal (₹4,500 crore).
- Aerial survey of Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), envisioned as a smart greenfield industrial hub.
Quote of the Day
“India’s coastlines will become gateways to national prosperity. Let every shopkeeper proudly display: ‘Say with pride, this is Swadeshi’.” – Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Source: PMO
