Kurnool, Oct 16 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his strong belief that the 21st century will be a defining era for India, asserting that by 2047, India will evolve into a developed nation.

"I am confident that the 21st century is poised to be the century of India, representing the aspirations of 140 crore Indians," he stated during the 'Super GST Super Saving' public assembly at Nannuru village in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district.

During the event, Modi laid the groundwork and inaugurated various development initiatives valued at approximately Rs 13,430 crore. These initiatives encompass projects related to roads, electricity, railways, highways, and trade, aimed at enhancing connectivity throughout the state, fostering industrial growth, and elevating the living standards of residents.

The Prime Minister highlighted the significant advantages these projects will bring to Kurnool and its neighboring areas.

He reiterated that the Union government is dedicated to improving connectivity nationwide.

"We are rapidly developing multi-modal infrastructure across the country, with a strong focus on connectivity from villages to cities and cities to ports," Modi elaborated.

He emphasized that Andhra Pradesh stands as a symbol of pride and rich culture, serving as a center for science and innovation.

"The state possesses immense potential and a talented youth population," he remarked.

Modi noted that Andhra Pradesh requires the right vision and leadership, which it has under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, benefiting from robust support from the Central government.

"Today, the partnership between Delhi and Amaravati is accelerating development," PM Modi added.

He stated that in the past 16 months, Andhra Pradesh has experienced unprecedented growth and claimed that the double-engine government is making significant strides.

"As Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has indicated about this rapid progression, I can confidently assert that by 2047, during the centenary of our Independence, India will be a developed nation," he stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the vision of 'Swarnandhra' fuels the aspiration for 'Viksit Bharat' and reaffirmed the nation's commitment to achieving a developed India by 2047.

He added that the world is closely observing the pace and scope of India's and Andhra Pradesh's progress.

Modi expressed that the dream of a developed India will be realized through a developed Andhra Pradesh.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Andhra Pradesh and its youth have consistently been leaders in technology, and under the NDA governments at both the Centre and the state, this potential is being further nurtured and expanded.

"Just two days ago, Google announced a significant investment in Andhra Pradesh. They will establish India's first artificial intelligence hub here. In my recent conversation with the CEO of Google, he mentioned that while they have investments in multiple countries, their largest investment will be in Andhra Pradesh," he said.

This AI Hub will feature advanced AI infrastructure, expanded data center capacity, large-scale energy sources, and an enhanced fiber-optic network. A new international subsea gateway will be developed, incorporating several international subsea cables leading to Visakhapatnam on India's eastern coast. This initiative aims to position Visakhapatnam as a central hub for AI and connectivity, serving both India and the global market. Modi extended his congratulations to the people of Andhra Pradesh for this achievement and commended Chandrababu Naidu for his visionary leadership.

Stressing the importance of energy security for national and state development, Modi announced a transmission project worth nearly Rs 3,000 crore in the power sector, which will further boost the country's energy capacity.

He recalled that 11 years ago, during the Congress-led government, per capita electricity consumption was below 1,000 units, and the country faced challenges such as blackouts.

"Thousands of villages lacked even basic electricity poles. Today, from clean energy to comprehensive energy production, India is achieving new milestones across sectors. Electricity has reached every village, per capita consumption has risen to 1,400 units, and both industries and households are receiving reliable power supply," Modi highlighted.

He underscored that Andhra Pradesh is a vital hub in India's energy revolution.

He also announced the commencement of the Natural Gas Pipeline Project from Srikakulam to Angul, which will provide gas to nearly 1.5 million households.

Additionally, he inaugurated an LPG Bottling Plant in Chittoor, capable of filling 20,000 cylinders daily. This facility is anticipated to create jobs in local transport and storage sectors, generating new opportunities for the youth.

Modi affirmed that the development of Andhra Pradesh is crucial for India's overall progress, and the advancement of Rayalaseema is vital for Andhra Pradesh's growth. He noted that the projects inaugurated on Kurnool soil will create new avenues for employment and prosperity across every district in Rayalaseema, thereby accelerating industrial development in the region.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to establish new industrial corridors and hubs to expedite Andhra Pradesh's development.

He mentioned that the Union government is working to develop Orvakal and Kopparthy as the new industrial identity of the state.

Increasing investments in these areas are continuously generating new employment opportunities, he added.

"Today, the global community sees India as the new manufacturing hub of the 21st century, with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' serving as the foundation for this success," Modi stated, highlighting Andhra Pradesh's emerging role as a significant contributor to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

He criticized previous governments for neglecting Andhra Pradesh's potential, which hindered the nation's progress.

A state that could have propelled national advancement was left to struggle for its growth, he remarked.

Modi expressed satisfaction that under the NDA government's leadership, Andhra Pradesh's trajectory is shifting, showcasing rapid growth in manufacturing.

He announced the establishment of an Advanced Night Vision factory in Nimmaluru, marking another stride towards self-reliance in the defense sector.

This facility will enhance India's capacity to manufacture night vision equipment, missile sensors, and drone guard systems, significantly boosting the country's defense exports.

He noted that the world has witnessed the success of indigenous weapon systems during Operation Sindoor.

Expressing contentment that the Andhra Pradesh government is committed to developing Kurnool as India's drone hub, Modi indicated that through the drone industry, numerous new sectors related to cutting-edge technologies will emerge in Kurnool and throughout Andhra Pradesh.

He referenced the success of drones in Operation Sindoor and reaffirmed that Kurnool will become a national strength in the drone sector in the upcoming years.

PM Modi reiterated the Union government's vision of citizen-centric development, underscoring ongoing reforms aimed at easing citizens' lives.

He highlighted that income up to Rs 12 lakh is now entirely tax-free, and initiatives such as affordable medicines, low-cost healthcare, and Ayushman cards for senior citizens have initiated a transformative chapter in enhancing the quality of life.

He announced that substantial GST reductions have been implemented from the first day of Navratri.

He revealed that forthcoming GST reforms are anticipated to generate savings exceeding Rs 8,000 crore for the people of Andhra Pradesh, enriching the festive atmosphere.

Before the meeting, PM Modi offered prayers at the Srisailam temple, noting that among the 12 Jyotirlingas, Lord Somnath and Lord Mallikarjuna are mentioned together.

"I am fortunate to hail from Gujarat, the land of Dada Somnath. I had the privilege to serve Kashi, the land of Baba Vishwanath, and today I am receiving blessings from Srisailam," he remarked.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit the Shivaji Inspiration Centre and pay his respects.

"With utmost respect, I bow to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he concluded.

Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Union Ministers K. Rammohan Naidu, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, and Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, along with others, were present.