Will PM Modi's Visit to Maharashtra, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh Transform Regional Development?

New Delhi, May 1 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Maharashtra today before heading to Kerala and Andhra Pradesh tomorrow.

In Mumbai, he will inaugurate the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) at approximately 10:30 a.m.

This unique event marks the debut of WAVES 2025, India's first-ever World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, taking place at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.

The four-day summit, themed "Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries," aims to establish India as a leading global center for media, entertainment, and digital innovation by uniting creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from around the globe.

Aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of harnessing creativity, technology, and talent for a brighter future, WAVES will encompass films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), broadcasting, and emerging technologies, showcasing India's media and entertainment capabilities.

WAVES is projected to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, further expanding India's presence in the global entertainment economy.

In a historic first, the summit will host the Global Media Dialogue with participation from ministers of 25 countries, marking a significant milestone in India's engagement with the global media and entertainment sector.

The summit will also feature the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace boasting over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects. Its objective is to connect buyers and sellers both locally and globally, facilitating extensive networking and business opportunities.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will engage with creators selected from the 32 Create in India Challenges, which attracted over 100,000 registrations last year, and he will also visit the Bharat Pavilion.

WAVES 2025 is expected to see participation from more than 90 countries, with over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups taking part.

The summit will include 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses across various sectors, including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.

After this, PM Modi will head to Kerala, where on May 2, he will dedicate the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport to the nation at around 10:30 a.m. He will also deliver a speech during this occasion.

Later, he will travel to Andhra Pradesh to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati. He will address the public at this event.

PM Modi's visits to Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are aimed at inaugurating and laying foundation stones for various infrastructure and development projects totaling more than Rs 66,000 crore.

As part of these events, the Prime Minister is anticipated to participate in a roadshow during his visit to Amaravati on May 2.

This visit underscores the Union government's dedication to enhancing national infrastructure and economic growth under the Viksit Bharat initiative.

In Kerala, Modi will dedicate the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport to the nation.

Located near Thiruvananthapuram, this Rs 8,900 crore port is India's first container transshipment hub, strategically situated near key global shipping lanes.

With a natural depth of 20 meters, Vizhinjam is expected to significantly improve India's maritime logistics, lessening dependence on foreign ports, and strengthening the country's role in international trade.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister will travel to Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, unveiling projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore. These include seven National Highway initiatives designed to enhance road connectivity to significant religious and heritage sites such as Tirupati, Srikalahasti, Malakonda, and Udayagiri Fort.

Additional railway developments will also be announced, including the doubling of the Bugganapalle Cement Nagar–Panyam line, a new third rail line between New West Block Hut Cabin and Vijayawada, and a Rail Over Rail corridor between Guntakal West and Mallarma Gate to alleviate junction congestion.

The visit will also include the foundation laying of substantial infrastructure for Amaravati's capital region, comprising the new Legislative Assembly, High Court, and government administrative buildings.

A significant housing initiative for over 5,200 families and an urban infrastructure plan worth Rs 17,400 crore are also part of the agenda, featuring a 320-km urban transport network integrated with flood management and underground utility systems.