PM Modi lays foundation stone for ISRO’s new launch complex in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi

Flagging off India’s first indigenous green hydrogen waterway vessel, PM Modi said increasing connectivity due to the consistent efforts of the Centre has enhanced ‘ease of living’ in Tamil Nadu.

Saying that one can witness the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” in the development projects of Wednesday, PM Modi stated that though these projects are in Thoothukudi, they will give momentum to development in multiple places across the country.

In an indirect reference to the DMK, PM Modi said Tamil Nadu’s ruling party shared power at the Centre with the Congress during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime. “However, they were not bothered about your progress. All the development initiatives have been delivered by the ‘sevak’,” he said in a reference to himself.

Meanwhile, addressing the reporters, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said the land acquisition for the launch complex has been completed and the Tamil Nadu government transferred the land to the space agency. The construction of the launch complex is expected to be completed in two years, he said.

“This launch complex is built for launching SSLV type of rockets…small rockets which can be launched towards the south and we are hoping that the private rockets which are being built in this country will also come there for launches. So, at least 24 launches per year will be possible at the end. We are building facilities for preparation of the rocket, assembling and launching including the radar stations, ground network, safety… all of this will be taken care of,” he said.

Somanath said he hoped Kulasekarapattinam and its suburbs would become a very active spaceport. “We are looking forward to great growth in this sector,” he added.

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State L Murugan were present. On behalf of the ruling DMK government, Thoothukudi MP K Kanimozhi and Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works EV Velu participated in the event.

(With inputs from PTI)

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