Lays foundation stones for a slew of projects, including a water treatment plant, a gas pipeline, an electric sub-station in the Union Territory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, February 24, 2018 launched development schemes worth Rs 1,000 crore for Daman and Diu, and also inaugurated a flight connecting Ahmedabad to coastal town of Diu.

The Prime Minister, who inaugurated Air Odisha’s flight connecting Ahmedabad with Diu under the Centre’s regional connectivity scheme UDAN, said air connectivity will boost tourism in the region.

He also launched a helicopter service connecting Daman and Diu at an event here.

“The air connectivity will boost tourism as tourists who want to visit the Somnath temple, Gir forest (in Gujarat) can now go (there) from Diu,” Mr. Modi said.

Somnath temple and Gir forest are located around 80 km from Diu. Ahmedabad to Diu road journey takes 12 hours and the air-connectivity reduces the travel time to just an hour.

Slew of projects

Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stones for a slew of projects, including a water treatment plant, a gas pipeline, an electric sub-station, a municipal market and a foot-bridge for the Union Territory.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated anganwadis (child care centres) and schools constructed under corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. He distributed e-rickshaws to women and scooters to differently-abled beneficiaries.

Mr. Modi said his government has launched schemes worth around ₹1,000 crore on Saturday for development of Daman and Diu.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi arrived at the Surat airport where he was accorded a grand welcome.

People gathered in large numbers to greet him on both sides of the road in Daman.