Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the Rs. 7,900-crore fourth terminal at country’s largest container port Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) situated off the financial capital’s eastern seafront. Mr. Modi, then proceeded to Chaitya Bhoomi at Shivaji Park in Dadar area and laid the foundation for memorial for Dr. Ambedkar at Indu Mills Compound.
Live updates:
6:21 pm: Mr. Modi says Constitution Day will be celebrated on November 26 and all schools will celebrate the 'Samvidhan Divas'.
6:20 pm: But the BJP has always been accepted by them. When I entered parliament, I vowed to work for the poorest. India cannot develop by leaving out its poor: Modi
6:19 pm: "Each time an election comes, many spread canards that the BJP government will remove reservation. They did this when the Vajpayee government came to power. They can't digest that the BJP is accepted by dalits and backward classes."
6:18 pm: I want to tell my critics that States with most Dalit and OBC population have elected BJP governments.
6:16 pm:Panchteerth should become inspiration for those working for social equality, says Modi.
6:15 pm: Suggests that visitors to the memorial should plant one tree from their villages. This way 40,000 villages will feel connected to the memorial: Modi
6:13 pm: Dr. Ambedkar memorial should be filled with trees and should become an oasis of peace and tranquility where people can visit and experience peace.
6:11 pm: "Where would be ordinary people like us without Dr. Ambedkar be. That's why all the BJP initiatives are only a way of paying back with gratitude."
6:09 pm: "Despite having fought many battles, Dr. Ambedkar he did not have any bitterness. That's why I respect Dr. Ambedkar. If Babasaheb Ambedkar wasn't there, where would Modi be."
6:06 pm: The Maharashtra government is also helping preserve the house where Dr. Ambedkar lived. The BJP government has helped preserve the panchteerth - five sites of Dr. Ambedkar's legacy: Modi
He mentions five sites referring to panchteerth - Dr. Aambedkar memorial in May, Madhya Pradesh, Alipur House in Delhi, the Indu Mill memorial, Dr. Ambedkar's residence in Mumbai and the newly purchased house in London.
6:04 pm: Mr. Modi announces that Centre will also preserve the Alipur road residence where Dr ambedkar lived in Delhi.
5:58 pm: "I would suggest the Fadnavis govt. to encourage pairing of two farmers who can invest in installation of solar panels which can bring power and water to the fields."
5:55 pm: Mr. Modi praises Devendra Fadnavis's pet project of Jalyukta Shivar to create water sources through rainwater and increasing the water level in 5000 villages.
5:53 pm: "When I talk about railways, I think of Dr. Ambedkar. He believed that railways would be a great equaliser and will break down social barriers of rich and poor, and of caste."
5:51 pm: "We will develop and modernise 400 railway stations across the country."
5:50 pm: " Many look at growing cities with apprehension. I see growth in cities as an opportunity."
5:49 pm: I congratulate Devendra Fadnavis for pushing the Metro project in a span of four months: Modi
5:48 pm: It is not that you have money and roads get made. When roads are made, it leads to creation of wealth: Modi
5:45 pm: Mr. Modi says: coastal States need to work together to develop the port sector.
5:44 pm: Sagarmala project was conceived by Vajpayee- ji . But his govt. collapsed and the new govt's agenda was different. After our government came to power, we have tried to move the project ahead: Modi
5:40 pm: "Port sector needs to be expanded, strengthened, developed, and advanced if India has to emerge as a global leader. In 15 months, several new initiatives have been taken to strengthen and boost the sector."
5:38 pm: Mr. Modi is speaking at the venue
Today is October 11 and Jayprakash Narayan's birth anniversary. On his birthday, I got the opportunity to lay the foundation stone of Dr. Ambedkar's memorial. Jayprakash Narayan fought the battle against Emergency to give the the democratic rights that Dr. Ambedkar had provided us.That's why I am fortunate to get this opportunity.
5:32 pm: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says the the govt. will take back cases against activists who staged agitations for Dr. Ambedkar memorial.
5:22 pm: PM Modi lays foundation stone for Metro corridors from Dahisar to DN Nagar.
4:38 pm: Before presiding over the 'Bhoomipujan' of the memorial, Mr. Modi visited 'Chaityabhoomi' and paid his tribute to the Dalit icon and architect of the Constitution.
What is Chaityabhoomi?
It is the site of Ambedkar's last rites. Each year on his death anniversary thousands travel to Mumbai and pay homage to him at the site which is located in Dadar.
4:32 pm: Mr. Modi leaves Indu Mill compound after the inauguration of the memorial, a long-standing demand of Dalit groups.
4:24 pm: Prakash Ambedkar, Dr. Ambedkar's grandson, is also present at the scene.
4:22 pm: PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone at Dr B.R. Ambedkar memorial at Indu Mills compound in Mumbai. He is accompanied by CM Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Governor Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao and other State Ministers.
4:18 pm: The Centre, in December 2014, had given its nod for the construction of a grand memorial for Dr. Ambedkar at the now defunct Indu Mill in Mumbai after requests by the State. A memorial for Dr. Ambedkar at the 12.5 acre compound in West Dadar had been the longstanding demand of various Dalit groups. >More..
3:28 pm: Mr. Modi will proceed to Chaitya Bhoomi at Shivaji Park in Dadar area to pay tributes to Ambedkar. The PM will then lay foundation for memorial for Dr. Ambedkar at Indu Mills Compound in Dadar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the fourth container terminal at JNPT.
3:20 pm: Mr. Modi lays the foundation stone of the fourth container terminal at JNPT.
3:13 pm: Mr. Modi being received on his arrival at Mumbai by Maharashtra Governor Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao.
2:59 pm: The two-phased project will see the overall container handling capacity of JNPT more than double to 10 million standard units of container from the present 4.5 million.
