Ports are gateway to prosperity: PM Modi

DAHEJ (GUJARAT): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that his government has given a new mantra "P for P" -- implying ports for prosperity.

Modi, while addressing a gathering here after travelling from Ghogha in the 'roll-on roll-off' (ro-ro) ferry service which he inaugurated today, said, "We need ultramodern ports for the development of the country."

"We have given a new mantra "P for P", which means ports for prosperity," Modi said.

"Ports are the gateway to prosperity for the country. Understanding this, we have launched the Sagarmala project in which old ports are being upgraded," he said.

Highlighting the importance of waterways, Modi said goods can be transported through waterways at a cost of 20 paise per tonne, while it will take Re 1 through railways and Rs 1.5 by road.

"The earlier government had not given any importance to transportation by waterways. Before we (NDA government) came, there were six waterways. Now we have identified more than 100 waterways," the prime minister said.

"We have 21,000 km of waterways which includes 7,500 km of coastal waterways and 14,000 km of inland waterways through rivers. India is naturally blessed with it. But our earlier government did nothing about it," he said.

In foreign countries, the transportation through waterways is 30 per cent while in India it is just five per cent, he said.

"Without proper connectivity, the economic development of a nation slows down. Keeping this in mind, we are focusing on ports and infrastructure," the prime minister said while addressing the gathering ahead of the Assembly polls in the state.

This is Modi's third visit to the state this month.